Paralegal Hourly Pay in Burien, WA: $31.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Burien, WA runs $31.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,469 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Burien's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,284 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegal hourly pay in Burien, Washington, reaches a median rate of $31.48/hour for 2026, which surpasses the national median of $31.30/hour by a slight margin. This hourly wage can make it quite appealing for those working part-time, typically around three days a week, or for per-diem professionals. Those who take on part-time roles in law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices will benefit from a flexible schedule while earning a steady income. As for the hourly pay range, it starts at approximately $23.12 for entry-level paralegals and can go up to $48.78 for top earners within the local market. Given that these numbers are derived from projected annual salary data, they reflect a growing demand for paralegals in various legal settings, such as court filing offices and e-discovery environments.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.12 | $184.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.50 | $204.04 |
| Median (P50) | $31.48 | $251.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.29 | $322.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.78 | $390.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burien
Based on $31.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.48/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burien, WA can expect to earn approximately $65,473 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,773. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burien.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burien
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,259.10 | $5,456 | $65,473 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $755.46 | $3,274 | $39,284 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.64 | $2,182 | $26,189 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Burien) | $31.48 |
| 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 Burien, WA earn a median of $65,469 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.57% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $65,798.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.48/hr = $39,284/year (purchasing power: $36,577).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,473/year (purchasing power: $60,962).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Burien grew 21.6% from $25.02/hr (2019) to $30.41/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.58/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 Burien 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 Burien
Part-time paralegals working 24 hours a week can expect a take-home salary significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. For instance, a part-time worker might earn about $39,305 annually, which offers a practical living but is less than what full-timers could achieve. In the realm of per diem paralegal pay in Burien, agency roles often bill between $25 to $50/hour, while specialized e-discovery positions might see rates from $30 to $60/hour. Freelance corporate paralegals may earn more, ranging from $40 to $75/hour during contract engagements. However, professionals must consider employer types, as large law firms and federal offices may pay higher rates compared to smaller firms or in-house positions that often offer more benefits. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons of hourly work versus benefits, as some paralegals accept lower hourly wages for health insurance and steady hours, while others prioritize higher pay without employer-sponsored benefits. Negotiations can hinge on these factors, making it crucial to be informed about the local market trends in Burien when discussing potential hourly rates.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
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 Burien. 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 Burien 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