Paralegal Hourly Pay in Medina, OH: $27.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Medina, OH runs $27.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,055 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Medina's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,827 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Medina, Ohio, the paralegal hourly pay is set at a median of $27.91, which trails behind the national median of $31.30. This rate offers a diverse set of opportunities for both full-time and part-time workers. For those working part-time, especially on a three-day-a-week schedule, achieving a stable income is manageable as they contribute to law firms, corporate legal departments, or other legal environments. Entry-level paralegals can expect to earn around $21.43 per hour, while those reaching the higher echelons of their careers may command up to $43.26 per hour. These hourly figures are indicative of the varied roles paralegals play in settings ranging from government offices and court systems to private sector firms, highlighting the spectrum of tasks that local paralegals undertake, though the rates remain rooted in projections derived from annual salary figures.
About the Medina 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) | $21.43 | $171.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.55 | $180.44 |
| Median (P50) | $27.91 | $223.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.35 | $282.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.26 | $346.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Medina
Based on $27.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.91/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Medina, OH can expect to earn approximately $58,045 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,488. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Medina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Medina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,116.25 | $4,837 | $58,045 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $669.75 | $2,902 | $34,827 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $446.50 | $1,935 | $23,218 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Medina) | $27.91 |
| 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 Medina, OH earn a median of $58,055 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.82% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.60% below the Ohio state average of $60,223.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.91/hr = $34,827/year (purchasing power: $38,398).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,045/year (purchasing power: $63,997).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Medina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Medina grew 21.6% from $22.18/hr (2019) to $26.96/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.89/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 Medina 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 Medina
Earning potential for paralegals working part-time can vary significantly compared to their full-time counterparts. For example, a paralegal working 24 hours a week may take home about $34,690 annually, which, while not on par with full-time salaries, can provide a decent income for those balancing other commitments. Per diem paralegals and contract workers face a different economic reality; typically earning between $25 to $50 an hour, their flexibility can come with its own set of challenges. Additionally, e-discovery specialists, particularly those adept with software like Relativity, can command rates ranging from $30 to $60 per hour, signifying a specialization that’s often more lucrative. The pay structure can differ greatly across various employer types in Medina. For instance, while BigLaw firms may offer higher pay, smaller or mid-sized firms might provide more manageable workloads. Some paralegals may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others might prefer higher rates without those benefits. Those negotiating their pay should consider the competitive landscape, knowing that the current market reflects ratios of responsibilities versus compensation.
More salary data for Medina, 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 Medina. 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 Medina 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