Paralegal Hourly Pay in Tacoma, WA: $45.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Tacoma, WA runs $45.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,556 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Tacoma's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $42.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,736 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegals in Tacoma, WA, can expect a median hourly pay of $45.46, significantly surpassing the national average of $31.30. This higher hourly rate reflects the region's demand for paralegal services and the competitive nature of local legal markets. For part-time workers, such as those who are employed three days a week, this rate translates into a robust earning potential, allowing flexible professionals to thrive in various settings, including law firm cubicles and corporate legal departments. Entry-level positions start at around $31.49 per hour, while seasoned paralegals can command rates as high as $70.46 per hour. These estimates stem from annual salary data and capture the range of compensation typical for Tacoma's paralegal landscape.
About the Tacoma 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) | $31.49 | $251.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.74 | $285.94 |
| Median (P50) | $45.46 | $363.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.19 | $465.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.46 | $563.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tacoma
Based on $45.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.46/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tacoma, WA can expect to earn approximately $94,560 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,554. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tacoma.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tacoma
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,818.46 | $7,880 | $94,560 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,091.08 | $4,728 | $56,736 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $727.39 | $3,152 | $37,824 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Tacoma) | $45.46 |
| 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 Tacoma, WA earn a median of $94,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.25% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 43.80% above the Washington state average of $65,755.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.46/hr = $56,736/year (purchasing power: $52,827).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,560/year (purchasing power: $88,045).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Tacoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Tacoma grew 21.6% from $36.13/hr (2019) to $43.92/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.06/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 Tacoma 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 Tacoma
Earning potential for a part-time paralegal working 24 hours a week can yield a comfortable annual income, although it will inevitably be lower than that of full-time peers. Many contract or per-diem paralegal opportunities provide an interesting alternative, with billing rates that range from $25 to $90 an hour depending on the nature of the work. E-discovery specialists, for instance, may find their skills highly sought after, leading to rates of $30 to $60 per hour. Local employer types also significantly influence hourly wages; BigLaw firms may offer more competitive rates but often involve demanding schedules, while in-house positions may provide a better work-life balance despite potentially lower pay. Paralegals often face a decision between higher hourly wages in contract roles and the benefits that come with full-time employment. For those negotiating compensation, it is wise to articulate your specific skill set, particularly if you possess experience with specialized tools like Relativity, which can justify a higher rate within Tacoma's legal community.
More salary data for Tacoma, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Tacoma. 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 Tacoma 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