Paralegal Hourly Pay in Portland, OR: $37.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Portland, OR runs $37.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,078 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,841 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $37.53, paralegals in Portland, Oregon, enjoy a competitive income compared to the national average of $31.30 per hour. This elevated rate reflects not only the cost of living in Portland but also the demand for skilled legal professionals in various sectors, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. For part-time workers, such as those putting in around three days a week, this translates to a solid income while maintaining flexibility. Furthermore, those looking for per-diem opportunities can find attractive pay rates depending on their specialization, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $24.37, while experienced paralegals can earn up to $49.94 hourly. This data is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, anticipated in 2026.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.37 | $194.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.54 | $236.33 |
| Median (P50) | $37.53 | $300.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.21 | $329.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.94 | $399.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $37.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.53/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, OR can expect to earn approximately $78,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,039. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,501.31 | $6,506 | $78,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $900.79 | $3,903 | $46,841 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $600.52 | $2,602 | $31,227 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Portland) | $37.53 |
| 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 Portland, OR earn a median of $78,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.94% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 31.80% above the Oregon state average of $59,239.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.53/hr = $46,841/year (purchasing power: $44,432).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,068/year (purchasing power: $74,054).
CoL index: 105.421 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Portland grew 25.8% from $28.82/hr (2019) to $36.26/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.85/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 Portland 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 Portland
Although a full-time paralegal in Portland can secure a robust financial standing, part-time employment has its own merits. For instance, a paralegal working 24 hours a week could expect to take home about $46,801 annually, offering a balance of income and personal time. The per-diem market presents additional opportunities for those willing to embrace flexibility. Contract paralegals often charge between $25 and $50 per hour, while those specializing in e-discovery can command $30 to $60, reflecting the increasing demand for tech-savvy professionals in that area. Differences in hourly rates stem from employer types, such as BigLaw firms, which tend to provide higher pay but with demanding workloads, versus smaller boutique firms that may offer more manageable schedules with lower pay. Paralegals seeking better compensation might have to weigh the benefits of health insurance against potentially higher pay in freelance roles. Negotiating skills, reflecting the specific requirements of the Portland market, play a crucial role in ensuring that paralegals secure rates that reflect their expertise and the value they bring to legal teams.
More salary data for Portland, 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 Portland. 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