Paralegal Hourly Pay in South Burlington, VT: $35.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in South Burlington, VT runs $35.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,031 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against South Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,425 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Burlington, Vermont, the paralegal hourly pay stands at a competitive $35.60, significantly exceeding the national hourly median of $31.30. This attractive rate is beneficial for part-time workers, such as those seeking a flexible schedule with three days a week, or per-diem paralegals looking for short-term engagements in various environments like law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, and even remote e-discovery setups. With hourly compensation ranging from $25.71 for entry-level positions to $55.17 for more seasoned professionals, these projections highlight a robust market for paralegals in the region. It's critical to understand that these hourly figures are derived from projected annual salary data to give a clearer financial picture of the profession.
About the South Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.71 | $205.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.33 | $226.65 |
| Median (P50) | $35.60 | $284.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.85 | $358.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.17 | $441.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Burlington
Based on $35.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.60/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $74,042 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,717. With a cost-of-living index of 103.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in South Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,423.88 | $6,170 | $74,042 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $854.33 | $3,702 | $44,425 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $569.55 | $2,468 | $29,617 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (South Burlington) | $35.60 |
| 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 South Burlington, VT earn a median of $74,031 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.72% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 9.90% above the Vermont state average of $67,362.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.60/hr = $44,425/year (purchasing power: $42,923).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,042/year (purchasing power: $71,538).
CoL index: 103.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in South Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in South Burlington grew 21.6% from $28.29/hr (2019) to $34.39/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.85/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 South 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 South Burlington
The earning potential for part-time paralegals working approximately 24 hours a week can yield an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. With part-time earnings typically residing at around $42,800, those in full-time roles can expect an income closer to $74,031 annually. However, the allure of per-diem or contract paralegal work cannot be overlooked. Rates often range considerably; for instance, freelance corporate paralegals might earn between $40 and $75 per hour, while specialized e-discovery roles can command $30 to $60 per hour. Employer types further impact wages, with BigLaw often offering higher pay structures but demanding stringent schedules, in contrast to corporate or government positions that may provide more balanced workloads. Paralegals must weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly wages with benefits and higher pay without job security when considering their career paths. Additionally, when negotiating pay in South Burlington, it's prudent to be well-versed in the unique demands and compensation structures of various employers for optimal results.
More salary data for South 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 South 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
Salary data for South Burlington 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