Paralegal Hourly Pay in Moses Lake, WA: $30.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Moses Lake, WA runs $30.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,453 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Moses Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,069 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Moses Lake, Washington, paralegals earn a median hourly rate of $30.50, positioning them slightly below the national median of $31.30. This rate is reflective of the economic environment and market demands in the area, with a range for hourly pay stretching from $23.43 for entry-level positions to $47.28 for those at the top of their field. For part-time paralegals working 24 hours a week or those engaged in per diem roles, this hourly wage translates into varied earning potential across different work settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices. Whether in traditional cubicles, open office layouts, or remote e-discovery environments, the flexibility of hourly work allows paralegals to balance their careers with other commitments.
About the Moses Lake 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) | $23.43 | $187.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.37 | $202.96 |
| Median (P50) | $30.50 | $244.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.70 | $309.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.28 | $378.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Moses Lake
Based on $30.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.50/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Moses Lake, WA can expect to earn approximately $63,449 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,605. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Moses Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Moses Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,220.18 | $5,287 | $63,449 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $732.11 | $3,172 | $38,069 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.07 | $2,115 | $25,380 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Moses Lake) | $30.50 |
| 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 Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $63,453 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.53% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $65,754.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.50/hr = $38,069/year (purchasing power: $35,446).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,449/year (purchasing power: $59,077).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Moses Lake grew 21.6% from $24.25/hr (2019) to $29.47/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.58/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 Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake
For a paralegal working part-time in Moses Lake, assuming a schedule of three days a week, their annual take-home income would be significantly less than a full-time employee. When considering the realities of per diem work, many paralegals find themselves billing at rates ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, depending on the complexity of the tasks. Contract roles, especially in e-discovery, may offer rates from $30 to $60 an hour, while freelance opportunities might command $40 to $75 for corporate projects. The differences in hourly compensation are also influenced by employment type; law firms may provide less pay, but they often include benefits, whereas contract work typically yields higher hourly pay without such perks. Understanding these dynamics is key for paralegals navigating job offers and negotiating their pay, especially as they seek to align their compensation with their professional goals and needs in Moses Lake.
More salary data for Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake. 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 Moses Lake 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