Paralegal Hourly Pay in Youngstown, OH: $23.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Youngstown, OH runs $23.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,691 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Youngstown's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.4, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,221 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Youngstown, Ohio, the paralegal hourly pay stands at a median rate of $23.41, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This discrepancy can impact part-time workers, such as those seeking 24-hour work weeks, as they will find their earnings limited compared to the national average. In typical legal environments—be it a law firm cubicle or a corporate legal department—entry-level paralegals can expect to earn around $18.19 hourly, while seasoned professionals may earn up to $29.83. With the full-time roles skewing towards those on the higher end of the scale, hourly pay in Youngstown reflects the area's economic conditions and job market demand based on the 2026 estimates derived from 2025 BLS data.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.19 | $145.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.25 | $154.02 |
| Median (P50) | $23.41 | $187.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.02 | $216.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.83 | $238.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Youngstown
Based on $23.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.41/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Youngstown, OH can expect to earn approximately $48,701 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,097. With a cost-of-living index of 87.39 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Youngstown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Youngstown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $936.56 | $4,058 | $48,701 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $561.94 | $2,435 | $29,221 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.62 | $1,623 | $19,480 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Youngstown) | $23.41 |
| 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 Youngstown, OH earn a median of $48,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.20% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 19.20% below the Ohio state average of $60,261.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.41/hr = $29,221/year (purchasing power: $33,436).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,701/year (purchasing power: $55,726).
CoL index: 87.394 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Youngstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Youngstown grew 32.4% from $17.09/hr (2019) to $22.62/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.24/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 Youngstown 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 Youngstown
Considering the financial realities for paralegals in Youngstown, those working part-time schedules can expect to take home around $27,000 annually for a 3-day work week, creating a sharp contrast with full-time salaries. Many paralegals opt for per diem positions, where contract work can yield hourly rates between $25 to $50, and even higher for specialized roles such as e-discovery review specialists, who may command $30 to $60 per hour. The variability in hourly rates is largely determined by the type of employer, be it a prominent law firm, a corporate legal department, or government offices. While some may choose jobs with lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, others might prioritize higher compensation without perks. For those negotiating rates, understanding the specific market for paralegal hourly pay in Youngstown and the comparative compensation for contract work can be critical in achieving favorable terms.
More salary data for Youngstown, 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 Youngstown. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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