Paralegal Hourly Pay in Kennewick, WA: $31.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Kennewick, WA runs $31.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,694 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Kennewick's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,819 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kennewick, Washington, the paralegal hourly pay stands at a median of $31.10, which is slightly below the national median of $31.30. This competitive hourly rate allows paralegals working part-time, such as those on a three-day work week, to earn a substantial income even in reduced hours. For example, a part-time paralegal with a typical schedule can maximize their income while enjoying a flexible schedule that suits their lifestyle. Individuals entering the field may find starting wages around $20.40 per hour, while highly experienced professionals could enjoy earnings up to $44.52 per hour. These figures highlight the diverse opportunities available to paralegals in different workplace settings, whether in law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, or even remote e-discovery reviews, reflecting official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.40 | $163.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.85 | $214.80 |
| Median (P50) | $31.10 | $248.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.22 | $313.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.52 | $356.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kennewick
Based on $31.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.10/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kennewick, WA can expect to earn approximately $64,698 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,326. With a cost-of-living index of 100.08 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kennewick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kennewick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,244.19 | $5,391 | $64,698 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $746.51 | $3,235 | $38,819 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.68 | $2,157 | $25,879 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Kennewick) | $31.10 |
| 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 Kennewick, WA earn a median of $64,694 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.62% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.60% below the Washington state average of $65,746.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.10/hr = $38,819/year (purchasing power: $38,788).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,698/year (purchasing power: $64,647).
CoL index: 100.079 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Kennewick grew 29.7% from $23.17/hr (2019) to $30.05/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.20/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 Kennewick 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 Kennewick
Working part-time as a paralegal in Kennewick can significantly impact annual earnings compared to full-time positions. For instance, a paralegal working 24 hours a week can take home around $38,288 annually, a figure that still presents a viable option for many professionals. The per diem landscape in Kennewick also presents lucrative opportunities; contract paralegal work often varies in pay rates from $25 to $50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery tasks may command between $30 and $60 per hour, depending on proficiency in skills such as Relativity or Concordance. Freelance roles for corporate paralegals can range from $40 to $75, indicating that the pay spectrum is significantly influenced by the type of employer, be it a law firm, government office, or a freelance setup. However, paralegals need to consider the trade-off between higher wages and access to benefits like health insurance, as some may prefer the security of full-time employment. Understanding local market dynamics can empower hourly workers in Kennewick to negotiate effectively for their worth, ensuring they receive compensation that reflects their expertise and contribution to the legal field.
More salary data for Kennewick, 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 Kennewick. 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