Paralegal Hourly Pay in Sheridan, WY: $28.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Sheridan, WY runs $28.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,543 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Sheridan's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,731 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sheridan, Wyoming, the projected median hourly pay for paralegals is set at $28.63, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $31.30. This difference may impact part-time paralegals working three days a week and per-diem workers pursuing opportunities mainly in settings such as law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, and government office support areas. The hourly range for paralegals in the area spans from $21.32 at the entry-level to $43.29 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse opportunities available within local legal environments. These figures are derived from annual salary data, providing a useful context for those evaluating part-time or freelance roles in industries like real estate or litigation support, where a flexible work arrangement might be prioritized.
About the Sheridan Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.32 | $170.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.17 | $185.32 |
| Median (P50) | $28.63 | $229.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.37 | $282.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.29 | $346.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sheridan
Based on $28.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.63/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sheridan, WY can expect to earn approximately $59,552 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,357. With a cost-of-living index of 95.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sheridan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sheridan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,145.23 | $4,963 | $59,552 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $687.14 | $2,978 | $35,731 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.09 | $1,985 | $23,821 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Sheridan) | $28.63 |
| 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 Sheridan, WY earn a median of $59,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.53% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.50% below the Wyoming state average of $62,349.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.63/hr = $35,731/year (purchasing power: $37,298).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,552/year (purchasing power: $62,163).
CoL index: 95.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Sheridan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Sheridan grew 21.6% from $22.76/hr (2019) to $27.66/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.64/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 Sheridan 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 Sheridan
For paralegals opting for part-time work in Sheridan, earning around $28.63 per hour translates to approximately $36,000 annually when working 24 hours weekly, a significant reduction compared to full-time earnings. Per-diem and freelance paralegal roles can present varied financial landscapes, with contractors often billing between $25-$50 for routine assignments and upwards of $50-$90 during high-demand periods like trial preparations. Workplace variation in hourly rates also plays a crucial role; for instance, corporate legal departments usually offer consistent pay structures, while small law firms or freelance opportunities might present less predictability but potentially higher rates based on specialization. Various employment types come with trade-offs — for example, paralegals may choose lower hourly rates with benefits in a full-time role versus higher rates in freelance positions that provide no health insurance. In negotiations, highlighting unique skills, particularly in e-discovery and litigation support, may secure better rates, reflecting the growing demand for these specialties in the evolving legal field in WY.
More salary data for Sheridan, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Sheridan in 2026?
How much do part-time paralegals make in Sheridan?
Are paralegals in Sheridan paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Sheridan?
Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Sheridan?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wyoming
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 Sheridan. 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 Sheridan 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