Paralegal Hourly Pay in Gresham, OR: $29.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Gresham, OR runs $29.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,598 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Gresham's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,364 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gresham, Oregon, paralegals earn a median hourly rate of $29.14, which is slightly below the national median of $31.30. This rate can provide a comfortable living for those working full-time, but for part-time workers, such as those on a three-day workweek, the financial dynamics change. Typically, settings for paralegals include law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, and even courtrooms, accommodating various work styles from traditional office environments to hybrid roles focused on e-discovery. The hourly pay range in Gresham varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at $19.85 and top-tier professionals earning up to $45.16 per hour, reflecting the local demand for legal expertise and the experience level. This landscape offers a range of opportunities for both full-time and per-diem paralegals in the area.
About the Gresham Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.85 | $158.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.54 | $180.36 |
| Median (P50) | $29.14 | $233.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.79 | $294.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.16 | $361.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gresham
Based on $29.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.14/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gresham, OR can expect to earn approximately $60,607 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,966. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Gresham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gresham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,165.52 | $5,051 | $60,607 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $699.31 | $3,030 | $36,364 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.21 | $2,020 | $24,243 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Gresham) | $29.14 |
| 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 Gresham, OR earn a median of $60,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.91% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.30% above the Oregon state average of $59,235.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.14/hr = $36,364/year (purchasing power: $35,443).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,607/year (purchasing power: $59,071).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Gresham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Gresham grew 21.6% from $23.16/hr (2019) to $28.15/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.16/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 Gresham 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 Gresham
For part-time paralegals working approximately 24 hours a week, the financial returns can significantly diverge when compared to their full-time counterparts, impacting annual earnings considerably. While the industry typically sees hourly rates ranging from $25 to $90 depending on the nature of the work and the employing entity, those engaged in contract or locum work might find themselves with variable earnings. In Gresham, law firms, whether large or small, often pay competitive rates to attract skilled talent, while corporate legal departments can offer better work-life balance, sometimes at the cost of lower hourly rates. Additionally, the e-discovery niche can command premium rates for specialized skills. Negotiating hourly pay can hinge on experience, specialty areas, and benefits; paralegals may need to weigh the trade-off between higher pay without benefits versus lower rates that include health insurance. This complexity reflects Gresham's unique job market and living costs, tailored for legal professionals navigating their compensation avenues.
More salary data for Gresham, OR:
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 Gresham. 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 Gresham 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