Paralegal Hourly Pay in Cottonwood Heights, UT: $25.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Cottonwood Heights, UT runs $25.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,265 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Cottonwood Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,365 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottonwood Heights, the current paralegal hourly pay stands at $25.13. This is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.30, suggesting a particular economic dynamic in the local job market. For paralegals working part-time, such as those on a three-day-a-week schedule, the earnings will reflect a more modest income, especially when factoring in typical hours worked in legal settings like law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. The projected hourly range for this profession varies widely, starting at $18.03 for entry-level positions and peaking at $38.95 for the most experienced paralegals, revealing a scope for growth that part-timers and per diem workers can leverage if they strategically choose their assignments and settings.
About the Cottonwood Heights Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.03 | $144.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.96 | $159.65 |
| Median (P50) | $25.13 | $201.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.49 | $251.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.95 | $311.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cottonwood Heights
Based on $25.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.13/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cottonwood Heights, UT can expect to earn approximately $52,275 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,159. With a cost-of-living index of 98.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cottonwood Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cottonwood Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,005.29 | $4,356 | $52,275 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $603.17 | $2,614 | $31,365 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $402.12 | $1,743 | $20,910 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Cottonwood Heights) | $25.13 |
| 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 Cottonwood Heights, UT earn a median of $52,265 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.71% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.70% below the Utah state average of $53,169.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.13/hr = $31,365/year (purchasing power: $31,972).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,275/year (purchasing power: $53,287).
CoL index: 98.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Cottonwood Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Cottonwood Heights grew 21.6% from $19.98/hr (2019) to $24.28/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.01/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 Cottonwood Heights 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 Cottonwood Heights
Part-time paralegals in Cottonwood Heights, working around 24 hours a week, annually take home a salary that may be significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, thus impacting benefits such as health insurance. Contract or freelance paralegals often operate in a different wage bracket, charging rates that can vary from $25 to $50 per hour depending on specific tasks and urgency. For instance, those specializing in e-discovery work may fetch between $30 and $60 per hour, while trial prep contract paralegals can command even higher rates during busy litigation periods. The variation in pay reflects the distinct environments of employers, whether in BigLaw, corporate, or governmental roles. Negotiating for hourly rates can be advantageous; paralegals should consider their experience and niche skills, especially if they are e-discovery certified, to optimize their earning potential in the greater Cottonwood Heights market.
More salary data for Cottonwood Heights, UT:
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 Cottonwood Heights. 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 Cottonwood Heights 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