Paralegal Hourly Pay in Burlington, VT: $35.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Burlington, VT runs $35.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,658 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,193 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $35.41 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $31.30. This attractive hourly rate is beneficial for both full-time and part-time professionals, particularly those working three days a week. In various legal settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and court offices, paralegals enjoy a range of hourly wages from $25.54 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $42.54 for the highest earners (90th percentile). This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights the competitive hourly compensation available for paralegals in Burlington compared to other regions in Vermont and across the country.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.54 | $204.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.43 | $235.42 |
| Median (P50) | $35.41 | $283.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.35 | $314.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.54 | $340.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $35.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.41/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $73,654 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,493. With a cost-of-living index of 100.95 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,416.43 | $6,138 | $73,654 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $849.86 | $3,683 | $44,193 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $566.57 | $2,455 | $29,462 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Burlington) | $35.41 |
| 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 Burlington, VT earn a median of $73,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.15% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 9.30% above the Vermont state average of $67,390.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.41/hr = $44,193/year (purchasing power: $43,777).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,654/year (purchasing power: $72,962).
CoL index: 100.949 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Burlington grew 43.7% from $23.81/hr (2019) to $34.21/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.65/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
For part-time paralegals clocking 24 hours weekly, their annual take-home pay can provide a comfortable lifestyle, but it remains notably lower than full-timers. Engaging in per-diem or contract work also shapes earning potential, with typical rates ranging from $25 to $50 per hour for general agency roles, while e-discovery specialists can command $30 to $60 per hour. Freelance paralegals often bill between $40 and $75 per hour, especially when supporting small businesses. The employer type significantly affects hourly wages; large law firms may offer higher rates but often come with intense workloads, while in-house corporate paralegals provide greater work-life balance at steadier pay. Paralegals seeking the best compensation should consider the benefits available, as accepting slightly lower hourly rates can sometimes come with healthcare and stability. For those negotiating hourly pay in Burlington, understanding the local market dynamics and having clear parameters for salary conversations will enhance their bargaining power.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
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 Burlington. 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