Paralegal Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $46.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Seattle, WA runs $46.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,161 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,692 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Seattle, Washington, can expect a median hourly rate of $46.23, significantly higher than the national median of $31.30. This elevated rate reflects the competitive environment for legal professionals in the area. For those engaged in part-time work, such as a typical schedule of three days a week, the hourly pay translates to considerable earnings, especially in various legal settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and remote e-discovery review. With an hourly range from $29.52 for entry-level positions up to $59.63 for seasoned professionals, Seattle offers flexibility in income opportunities, catering to both full-time and per-diem roles across the expansive legal landscape.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.52 | $236.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.06 | $296.45 |
| Median (P50) | $46.23 | $369.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.83 | $430.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.63 | $477.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $46.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.23/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $96,153 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,473. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,849.10 | $8,013 | $96,153 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,109.46 | $4,808 | $57,692 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $739.64 | $3,205 | $38,461 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Seattle) | $46.23 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $96,161 per year (2026 est.), which is 47.72% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 46.20% above the Washington state average of $65,773.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.23/hr = $57,692/year (purchasing power: $51,913).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,153/year (purchasing power: $86,521).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Seattle grew 49.0% from $29.98/hr (2019) to $44.66/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.85/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
Examining the earning potential reveals that a part-time paralegal working 24 hours a week averages around $57,179 annually, significantly lower than full-time counterparts but still competitive given the hourly pay structure. Per-diem opportunities in Seattle often present a mixed landscape; while many clients may offer $25-$50 per hour for contract work, specialized roles like e-discovery specialists may command $30-$60 hourly rates. Freelance paralegals at small businesses typically take home $40-$75 per hour, while those engaged in intensive trial preparations could earn between $50-$90 during critical litigation phases. The variation in pay across employer types, including BigLaw and government legal offices, underscores a nuanced trade-off between hourly rates and benefits, with some opting for less pay in exchange for health insurance. In this context, negotiating hourly pay effectively can hinge on understanding the value offered, emphasizing specialized skills, and demonstrating proficiency in in-demand areas like e-discovery that justify higher rates in Seattle's competitive market.
More salary data for Seattle, 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 Seattle. 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