Paralegal Hourly Pay in Kettering, OH: $28.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Kettering, OH runs $28.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,921 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Kettering's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,951 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Kettering, Ohio, the paralegal hourly pay stands at $28.81, reflecting a competitive rate compared to the national average of $31.30. This rate means that part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week, can earn a steady income while maintaining a work-life balance. Per-diem paralegals in Kettering, often utilized in law firm environments or during real estate transactions, might find flexibility in their schedules, crucial for balancing other commitments. For entry-level positions, hourly wages start around $21.01, while highly experienced paralegals can earn up to $44.65 per hour. This hourly data, projected based on 2025 BLS data, highlights the range of compensation available within various legal environments, from corporate legal departments to government offices.
About the Kettering Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.01 | $168.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.32 | $186.57 |
| Median (P50) | $28.81 | $230.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.87 | $294.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.65 | $357.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kettering
Based on $28.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.81/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kettering, OH can expect to earn approximately $59,918 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,568. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kettering.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kettering
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,152.27 | $4,993 | $59,918 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $691.36 | $2,996 | $35,951 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.91 | $1,997 | $23,967 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Kettering) | $28.81 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Kettering, OH earn a median of $59,921 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.95% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $60,222.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.81/hr = $35,951/year (purchasing power: $39,637).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,918/year (purchasing power: $66,062).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Kettering (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Kettering grew 21.6% from $22.90/hr (2019) to $27.83/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.82/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kettering metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Kettering
Examining the earning potential of part-time paralegals in Kettering reveals interesting dynamics. A paralegal working 24 hours a week at the local hourly rate could earn about $36,095 annually, significantly less than a full-time colleague, but still viable for those valuing flexibility. Meanwhile, per diem paralegals often have varied earnings, charging between $25 to $50 per hour, depending on the project. The pay rises for specialized roles, such as e-discovery review specialists, who can command $30 to $60 per hour, while freelance corporate paralegals may earn between $40 and $75 hourly. The diversity in hourly wages also reflects the type of employer; for instance, law firms, whether large or boutique, may offer different rates compared to governmental agencies. Thus, some paralegals opt for positions with lower pay in exchange for benefits like health coverage, which can affect decisions on entering the field. Negotiating hourly pay in Kettering often involves demonstrating specialized skills or certifications, particularly in e-discovery tools, to secure higher rates while considering the balance of hourly pay against overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Kettering, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Kettering. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kettering is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov