Paralegal Hourly Pay in Tulsa, OK: $25.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Tulsa, OK runs $25.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,521 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Tulsa's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,507 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the projected paralegal hourly pay stands at $25.25. This is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.30, suggesting that paralegals in Tulsa may encounter differing compensation levels based on the firm's structure and location. For part-time workers, perhaps clocking in three days a week, this translates to a viable income within typical settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices. The hourly wage ranges from $17.93 for entry-level positions to $39.53 for the most experienced paralegals. Such figures reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2026, which gives insight into the earning potential for those entering or progressing in this field in Tulsa, OK.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.93 | $143.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.80 | $150.38 |
| Median (P50) | $25.25 | $201.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.80 | $246.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.53 | $316.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tulsa
Based on $25.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.25/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tulsa, OK can expect to earn approximately $52,512 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,295. With a cost-of-living index of 89.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tulsa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tulsa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,009.84 | $4,376 | $52,512 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $605.91 | $2,626 | $31,507 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $403.94 | $1,750 | $21,005 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Tulsa) | $25.25 |
| 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 Tulsa, OK earn a median of $52,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.32% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 9.20% below the Oklahoma state average of $57,842.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.25/hr = $31,507/year (purchasing power: $35,316).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,512/year (purchasing power: $58,861).
CoL index: 89.214 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+2.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Tulsa grew -4.8% from $25.61/hr (2019) to $24.39/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.13/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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa
When considering part-time opportunities, a paralegal working 24 hours a week at the current hourly rate would bring home around $31,110 annually, a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts, who would receive a more robust paycheck. Moreover, those engaged in per diem or freelance roles, often working on a contract basis, usually negotiate pay ranging from $25 to upwards of $90 per hour, depending on the specificity of their tasks and expertise. Paralegals in sectors like e-discovery, which requires specialized knowledge, can expect higher pay scales, with rates reaching $30-$60 for this niche. In Tulsa, rates can also fluctuate depending on the employer type; larger firms may offer competitive wages but with demanding schedules while corporate positions provide more predictable conditions and benefits. For those negotiating their hourly pay, understanding the value of benefits versus higher hourly rates without them is crucial in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Tulsa, 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 Tulsa. 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