Paralegal Hourly Pay in Walla Walla, WA: $29.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Walla Walla, WA runs $29.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,230 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Walla Walla's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,333 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Paralegals in Walla Walla, WA, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $29.91 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $31.30. This rate can significantly impact both part-time workers and those seeking per-diem opportunities in various settings, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and even remote e-discovery projects. For example, working three days a week, a paralegal could capitalize on this hourly rate in environments ranging from bustling legal offices to court filing locations. The hourly range for paralegals in Walla Walla varies widely, with entry-level positions beginning at $19.59 and experienced professionals earning as much as $54.38, showcasing the potential for growth within the profession.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.59 | $156.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.08 | $200.64 |
| Median (P50) | $29.91 | $239.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.22 | $289.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.38 | $435.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Walla Walla
Based on $29.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.91/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Walla Walla, WA can expect to earn approximately $62,222 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,897. With a cost-of-living index of 98.52 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Walla Walla.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Walla Walla
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,196.58 | $5,185 | $62,222 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.95 | $3,111 | $37,333 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.63 | $2,074 | $24,889 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Walla Walla) | $29.91 |
| 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 Walla Walla, WA earn a median of $62,230 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.40% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.40% below the Washington state average of $65,782.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.91/hr = $37,333/year (purchasing power: $37,894).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,222/year (purchasing power: $63,157).
CoL index: 98.519 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Walla Walla (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Walla Walla grew 27.7% from $22.63/hr (2019) to $28.90/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.96/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 Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla
For those considering part-time opportunities, a paralegal working 24 hours weekly might take home a more modest annual income compared to full-time counterparts, amounting to approximately $37,200. Additionally, the contract basis for per-diem paralegal positions in Walla Walla often varies, with rates commonly between $25 and $50 per hour. Freelance corporate paralegals can command even higher fees, ranging from $40 to $75, especially in specialized areas like trial preparation or e-discovery, where hourly rates can skyrocket to between $30 and $90. Employer types also influence hourly pay, as law firms, whether large or boutique, typically provide different compensation packages compared to in-house corporate legal departments or government offices. While some paralegals might accept lower hourly rates for positions offering benefits such as health insurance, those opting for flexible roles may prioritize higher compensation without such perks. Thus, understanding the local pay dynamics in Walla Walla allows aspiring paralegals to make informed choices regarding their career paths, hourly negotiation strategies, and the trade-offs of various employment arrangements.
More salary data for Walla Walla, 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 Walla Walla. 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, 5-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