Paralegal Hourly Pay in Olympia, WA: $35.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Olympia, WA runs $35.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,637 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Olympia's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.7, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,180 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Paralegal hourly pay in Olympia, Washington, reflects a competitive rate with a median of $35.40. This figure is considerably higher than the national hourly median of $31.30, indicating a stronger local market for paralegals. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this pay translates into approximately $1,132 weekly for a standard 24-hour schedule, making the role accessible to a range of professionals balancing other commitments. The hourly rate for paralegals in Olympia spans from $25.43 for entry-level positions to $40.16 for top earners in the field. Typically, these roles are found in various settings including law firms, corporate legal departments, government offices, and even remote e-discovery review environments. The above figures, drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, provide a clear picture of the compensation dynamics within the state.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.43 | $203.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.48 | $235.84 |
| Median (P50) | $35.40 | $283.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.04 | $312.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.16 | $321.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Olympia
Based on $35.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.40/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Olympia, WA can expect to earn approximately $73,633 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,481. With a cost-of-living index of 103.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Olympia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Olympia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,416.02 | $6,136 | $73,633 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $849.61 | $3,682 | $44,180 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $566.41 | $2,454 | $29,453 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Olympia) | $35.40 |
| 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 Olympia, WA earn a median of $73,637 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.12% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 12.00% above the Washington state average of $65,747.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.40/hr = $44,180/year (purchasing power: $42,616).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,633/year (purchasing power: $71,026).
CoL index: 103.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Olympia grew 35.0% from $25.34/hr (2019) to $34.20/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.64/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 Olympia 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 Olympia
Considering the part-time earning potential in Olympia, a paralegal working a 24-hour week would take home roughly $58,048 annually, in stark contrast to the earnings of full-time paralegals who generally work 40-hour weeks. The per diem or contract paralegal scenario varies widely; those billing on an as-needed basis may see rates between $25 and $50 per hour depending on contract terms, while specialized e-discovery experts can capture between $30 and $60 per hour. Work environments significantly affect pay as well; paralegals employed by larger firms might earn more than their counterparts in public domain roles such as public defender offices. However, many may choose lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Negotiation strategies for hourly paralegals in Olympia should include understanding the average rates for specific employer types and being equipped to discuss benefit trade-offs calmly.
More salary data for Olympia, 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 Olympia. 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