Paralegal Hourly Pay in Oklahoma City, OK: $28.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Oklahoma City, OK runs $28.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,570 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Oklahoma City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,744 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Oklahoma City, the paralegal hourly pay is projected at $28.64 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This disparity could influence the decision for those considering part-time roles or per diem positions in typical legal environments, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices. For instance, a paralegal working three days a week could still manage a respectable income, while per diem workers tend to earn between $18.58 and $41.60 per hour, depending on their level of expertise and the complexity of the tasks. With a range from entry-level positions starting at approximately $18.58 to seasoned professionals earning up to $41.60, there are various opportunities for those willing to navigate the field of paralegal work.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.58 | $148.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.27 | $186.15 |
| Median (P50) | $28.64 | $229.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.71 | $245.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.60 | $332.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oklahoma City
Based on $28.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.64/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oklahoma City, OK can expect to earn approximately $59,574 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,369. With a cost-of-living index of 90.41 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oklahoma City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oklahoma City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,145.65 | $4,964 | $59,574 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $687.39 | $2,979 | $35,744 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.26 | $1,986 | $23,829 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Oklahoma City) | $28.64 |
| 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 Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $59,570 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.49% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.90% above the Oklahoma state average of $57,891.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.64/hr = $35,744/year (purchasing power: $39,537).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,574/year (purchasing power: $65,894).
CoL index: 90.408 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Oklahoma City grew 29.6% from $21.35/hr (2019) to $27.67/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.65/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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
Those considering part-time employment, such as a paralegal working 24 hours per week, can anticipate an annual income of around $36,713, which still allows for some financial flexibility compared to full-time roles. Freelance and per diem paralegals have distinct earning potentials, as contract work often pays between $25 to $50 an hour, while specialists in e-discovery can command rates as high as $60 an hour. Employers across Oklahoma City, including private law firms and corporate legal departments, often offer different compensation levels based on the nature of work. For those willing to accept less hourly pay for the inclusion of benefits, this trade-off could impact choices significantly. Effective negotiation, understanding employer preferences, and recognizing the value of certification through entities like NALA or NFPA can aid aspiring paralegals in maximizing their earning potential in Oklahoma City.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
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 Oklahoma City. 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