Paralegal Hourly Pay in Richmond, VA: $31.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Richmond, VA runs $31.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,149 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,090 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Richmond, Virginia, paralegal hourly pay stands at a competitive median of $31.32, slightly above the national median of $31.30. This hourly rate offers a solid living for both full-time and part-time paralegals, especially for those working three days a week in various settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. Part-time professionals can expect to make a practical income while maintaining a more flexible schedule suited for family or further education. Entry-level paralegals typically earn around $24.09 per hour, while top earners can make as much as $45.76 per hour, highlighting a diverse range in pay based on experience and job setting. This data comes from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.09 | $192.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.42 | $211.33 |
| Median (P50) | $31.32 | $250.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.36 | $306.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.76 | $366.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $31.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.32/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, VA can expect to earn approximately $65,150 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,587. With a cost-of-living index of 97.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,252.89 | $5,429 | $65,150 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $751.73 | $3,258 | $39,090 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.15 | $2,172 | $26,060 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Richmond) | $31.32 |
| 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 Richmond, VA earn a median of $65,149 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.08% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 7.30% above the Virginia state average of $60,717.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.32/hr = $39,090/year (purchasing power: $39,946).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,150/year (purchasing power: $66,576).
CoL index: 97.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Richmond grew 31.4% from $23.03/hr (2019) to $30.26/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.42/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Focusing on part-time work, a paralegal in Richmond working a typical 24-hour week brings home approximately $39,570 annually, which is significantly less than the earnings of a full-time peer. However, many paralegals find contract and per-diem positions appealing, as they often come with varied hourly rates that can significantly increase total earnings. For example, per diem paralegal pay in Richmond can range from $25 to $90 per hour, depending on the role and responsibilities. Paralegals specializing in e-discovery can command higher rates, generally billing between $30 and $60 hourly, particularly with firms emphasizing technology. Hourly rates also differ widely across employer types, with BigLaw often offering the highest pay paired with demanding hours, while in-house corporate roles tend to provide better perks and job stability. Career professionals need to consider the trade-offs between higher pay without benefits and lower pay paired with health insurance. For those negotiating hourly wages, emphasizing specific skills or certifications, such as NALA or NFPA designations, can be beneficial in securing a more favorable rate.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 Richmond. 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