Paralegal Hourly Pay in Lakewood, WA: $31.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Lakewood, WA runs $31.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,990 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,000 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Lakewood, Washington, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $31.25, which is slightly below the national median of $31.30. This rate provides a solid foundation for professionals working part-time in various legal environments, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. Those working three days a week or on a per-diem basis can calculate their earnings based on this hourly pay. With an hourly range from $20.99 at the entry level to $48.43 for top earners, Lakewood offers opportunities across different legal sectors. The estimated hourly figures are derived from annual salary data, which reflects the diverse nature of paralegal work in both traditional office settings and remote e-discovery review environments.
About the Lakewood 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) | $20.99 | $167.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.72 | $205.78 |
| Median (P50) | $31.25 | $250.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.00 | $319.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.43 | $387.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $31.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.25/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, WA can expect to earn approximately $64,999 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,500. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,249.99 | $5,417 | $64,999 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $749.99 | $3,250 | $39,000 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.99 | $2,167 | $26,000 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Lakewood) | $31.25 |
| 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 Lakewood, WA earn a median of $64,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.16% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $65,779.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.25/hr = $39,000/year (purchasing power: $36,312).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,999/year (purchasing power: $60,521).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Lakewood grew 21.6% from $24.84/hr (2019) to $30.19/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.35/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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
The earning potential for part-time paralegals in Lakewood who work 24 hours a week can result in annual take-home pay significantly lower than that of their full-time counterparts. Contract and per-diem positions often range from $25 to $50 per hour, with those specializing in e-discovery potentially earning $30 to $60 per hour and freelance paralegals in corporate settings making anywhere from $40 to $75 an hour. Hourly rates vary widely depending on the employer type, with law firms typically paying more for seasoned professionals while government and non-profit sectors offer lower rates but often include benefits like health insurance. This trade-off can be a motivator for many paralegals in Lakewood, who may seek out higher pay in the private sector at the cost of employee benefits. For successful negotiations, understanding the specific needs of various employers and being flexible in terms of benefits versus pay can make a significant difference in securing desirable hourly rates.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 Lakewood. 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 Lakewood 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