Paralegal Hourly Pay in Yakima, WA: $31.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Yakima, WA runs $31.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,356 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Yakima's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,219 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Yakima, Washington, the projected paralegal hourly pay in 2026 is set at $31.43, which offers a slight edge over the national average of $31.30. This hourly rate can have substantial implications for paralegals considering part-time arrangements or per-diem roles. Working three days a week, a paralegal could earn around $24,000 annually, demonstrating the financial viability of such positions. The hourly compensation varies significantly, ranging from $24.35 for those entering the field to as high as $43.28 for experienced professionals in specialty areas, like e-discovery. The data, grounded in 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the evolving demand for paralegal services in various settings—from law firm environments to corporate legal departments and remote work opportunities.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.35 | $194.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.52 | $212.15 |
| Median (P50) | $31.43 | $251.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.12 | $304.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.28 | $346.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Yakima
Based on $31.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.43/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Yakima, WA can expect to earn approximately $65,365 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,711. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Yakima.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Yakima
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,257.03 | $5,447 | $65,365 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $754.22 | $3,268 | $39,219 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.81 | $2,179 | $26,146 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Yakima) | $31.43 |
| 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 Yakima, WA earn a median of $65,356 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.40% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 0.60% below the Washington state average of $65,751.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.43/hr = $39,219/year (purchasing power: $41,048).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,365/year (purchasing power: $68,413).
CoL index: 95.545 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Yakima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Yakima grew 27.3% from $23.84/hr (2019) to $30.36/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.53/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 Yakima 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 Yakima
When examining the financial landscape for part-time paralegals, a 24-hour weekly schedule would yield significant differences compared to full-time work, impacting family and lifestyle choices. Many per diem and contract paralegals operate in a pay range of $25 to $90 per hour, with those engaged as e-discovery specialists or trial prep paralegals often earning $30 to $90 per hour, contingent upon project demands and employer types. In Yakima, hourly rates can fluctuate based on the nature of employment: law firms might offer better benefits at competitive rates, while freelance opportunities may come with a premium for flexibility and independence, albeit without health incentives. Paralegals need to weigh these options carefully, particularly when negotiating rates—considering both the short-term hourly pay and the long-term benefits they may forego.
More salary data for Yakima, 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 Yakima. 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