Paralegal Salary

Paralegal Hourly Pay in Sherwood, OR: $26.97 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Sherwood, OR runs $26.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,118 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Sherwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,664 per year.

$56,118
Median Annual Salary
$26.97/hr
Hourly Rate
$41,069
Entry Level (P10)
$86,983
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Paralegal Hourly Rate in Sherwood, OR — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Sherwood, OR paralegal hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Sherwood, Oregon, the paralegal hourly pay stands at approximately $26.97, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.30. This hourly rate can significantly impact part-time workers, such as those who might take on roles three days a week, making their earnings dependent on how many billable hours they accrue during that time. For part-time paralegals working in environments like law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, or government offices, the potential for earning varies as they navigate through a wide hourly range that spans from $19.75 at the entry-level to as high as $41.82 for more experienced professionals. Understanding this context is essential, as paralegals in different sectors and roles, including remote e-discovery projects, can experience varying work conditions and pay structures, all estimated from annual salary data.

About the Sherwood Market

Salary estimated from Oregon average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$19.75$158.00
Lower Range (P25)$21.57$172.57
Median (P50)$26.97$215.80
Upper Range (P75)$33.10$264.82
Top Earners (P90)$41.82$334.54

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sherwood

Based on $26.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a paralegal in Sherwood earning $26.97/hr would make approximately $32,370 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $56,107 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$32,370Reduced (32 hr/wk)$43,160Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$56,107

At $26.97/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sherwood, OR can expect to earn approximately $56,107 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,370. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sherwood.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$215.80
per 8hr shift
$1,078.99
per week
$4,676
per month
$56,107
per year

Schedule Comparison in Sherwood

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,078.99$4,676$56,107
Part-Time (24 hrs)$647.39$2,805$33,664
Per Diem (16 hrs)$431.60$1,870$22,443

Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Paralegal (Sherwood)$26.97
Lawyer (National Avg)$81.25
Legal Secretary (National Avg)$26.86
Court Reporter (National Avg)$30.10
Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg)$29.85
Horizontal bar chart comparing paralegal median salary in Sherwood ($56,118) with Oregon average ($59,196) and the US national median ($65,097).Sherwood$56,118Oregon Avg$59,196-5.20%US National$65,097-13.79%

Paralegals in Sherwood, OR earn a median of $56,118 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.79% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.20% below the Oregon state average of $59,196.

Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $26.97/hr = $33,664/year (purchasing power: $32,811).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,107/year (purchasing power: $54,686).

CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).

2019 BLS Actual

$21.44/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$26.06/hr

2026 Current Est.

$26.97/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+30.2%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Sherwood (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for paralegals in Sherwood. Baseline $21.44/hr in 2025, projected to $27.92/hr by 2027.$20$23$25$28$302019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$21.44$21.93$23.30$24.53$25.26$28.98$26.06$26.97$27.92
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$21.44/hrActual
2020$21.93/hrActual
2021$23.30/hrActual
2022$24.53/hrActual
2023$25.26/hrActual
2024$28.98/hrActual
2025$26.06/hrActual
2026(current)$26.97/hrEstimated
2027$27.92/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Sherwood grew 21.6% from $21.44/hr (2019) to $26.06/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.92/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sherwood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Sherwood

For those considering part-time opportunities, a paralegal working 24 hours a week may expect to bring home around $33,192 annually, which contrasts with full-time wages. The landscape for per diem paralegal pay in Sherwood can vary considerably, with contract paralegal workers typically billing between $25 and $50 per hour, and those specializing in areas like e-discovery commanding rates between $30 and $60 per hour. Additionally, freelance corporate paralegals can earn between $40 and $75 hourly, while those active in trial preparation might see pay rates ranging from $50 to $90 during litigation. Employment type impacts earnings, as paralegals in larger firms or specialized roles might secure better compensation compared to government or public defender offices. When negotiating, it's wise for paralegals to weigh the benefits of health insurance and paid time off against higher hourly rates that come without benefits, which is often a consideration in the Sherwood job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Sherwood in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for paralegals in Sherwood is $26.97/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.51% annual growth). Rates range from $19.75 at entry level (10th percentile) to $41.82 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 13.8% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time paralegals make in Sherwood?

A part-time paralegal working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Sherwood earns approximately $2,805/month, or $33,664/year at the median hourly rate of $26.97. Many paralegals prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are paralegals in Sherwood paid hourly or salary?

The majority of paralegals in Sherwood are paid hourly at a median rate of $26.97/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $56,107/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Sherwood?

A full-time paralegal working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Sherwood earns approximately $56,107/year at the median hourly rate of $26.97. This is 13.8% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $86,982/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Sherwood?

Part-time and per diem paralegals in Sherwood sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $41.82/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Oregon

JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Garcia, CLAData verified by Ayesha Khan, CP

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 Sherwood. 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 Sherwood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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