Paralegal Hourly Pay in Washington, UT: $24.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Washington, UT runs $24.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,634 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Washington's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,977 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegals in Washington, Utah, earn a median hourly rate of $24.82, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. For part-time workers, typically averaging three days a week, this can translate to a practical, albeit modest, paycheck when working in law firms, corporate legal departments, or even remote settings. Freelance or per-diem paralegals can expect a wide range of compensation, with entry-level positions starting around $17.34 and experienced professionals earning up to $38.47 per hour. This varied hourly range reflects the different work environments—whether it's in a courtroom, a real estate closing room, or through hybrid formats used for e-discovery review. Consequently, these hourly wages suggest that while many paralegals in Washington may be dedicated to their roles, the financial rewards could be more competitive.
About the Washington 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) | $17.34 | $138.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.86 | $166.86 |
| Median (P50) | $24.82 | $198.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.67 | $253.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.47 | $307.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Washington
Based on $24.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.82/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Washington, UT can expect to earn approximately $51,629 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,786. With a cost-of-living index of 98.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Washington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Washington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $992.87 | $4,302 | $51,629 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $595.72 | $2,581 | $30,977 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $397.15 | $1,721 | $20,652 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Washington) | $24.82 |
| 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 Washington, UT earn a median of $51,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.68% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.90% below the Utah state average of $53,176.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.82/hr = $30,977/year (purchasing power: $31,577).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,629/year (purchasing power: $52,629).
CoL index: 98.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Washington grew 21.6% from $19.73/hr (2019) to $23.98/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.69/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 Washington 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 Washington
When considering the potential for part-time work, a paralegal in Washington who operates on a 24-hour weekly schedule could earn around $30,000 annually, which is a stark contrast to a full-time equivalent. The reality of per-diem paralegal pay in Washington shows variability; while traditional agency work may bill between $25 and $50 per hour, niche specialties like e-discovery can command rates from $30 to $60 per hour. Those providing contract work for trial prep during active litigation can earn rates ranging from $50 to $90 per hour, depending on their expertise. Hourly pay tends to fluctuate significantly based on where they are employed—whether in prestigious law firms, smaller boutique settings, or corporate in-house legal departments where stability and benefits may factor into lower hourly rates. Paralegals should weigh the benefits of steady pay and health insurance against opportunities for higher hourly rates in freelance roles. Practical advice for negotiating their pay includes researching specific industry standards and assessing the value of benefits versus raw hourly compensation, which can be pivotal in decision-making as they navigate their careers in the legal field.
More salary data for Washington, 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 Washington. 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 Washington 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