Paralegal Salary in Peoria, AZ: $54,100 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Peoria, AZ earns a median $54,100/year (≈ $26.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $54,924 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those working as paralegals in Peoria, AZ, can anticipate a median annual income of $54,100, which falls significantly below the national benchmark of $65,097. The local salary spectrum shows a diverse range from $36,812 at the lowest end (10th percentile) to $83,854 for those at the higher end (90th percentile). This pay structure often reflects the type of legal environment in which a paralegal operates. For instance, positions within BigLaw firms typically command higher salaries, whereas smaller firms or those in mid-market sectors may offer lower compensation due to resource constraints. Projections based on 2025 BLS data indicate that the local market is influenced not only by firm size but also by factors such as legal specialty, responsibilities, and demand within Peoria's job market.
About the Peoria Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,812 | $17.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,779 | $20.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,100 | $26.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,274 | $32.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,854 | $40.32 |
Median Salary Position
16.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, AZ, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,042 (2026 est.). At $54,100, the local median is 16.89% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Paralegal Pay Compares
Peoria median: $54,100/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $52,935 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -16.89% less |
Paralegals in Peoria, AZ earn a median of $54,100 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.89% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.20% above the Arizona state average of $52,935.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Peoria, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $54,100 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,924 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,999
2025 BLS Actual
$52,265
2026 Current Est.
$54,100
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,999 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,979 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,198 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,669 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,265 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,100 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,998 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $42,999 (2019) to $52,265 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,998 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,999 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,812 – $41,779 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,779 – $54,100 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,100 – $68,274 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,274 – $83,854 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Peoria
Analyzing the local job market reveals that Peoria is home to approximately 33 employed paralegals. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, the purchasing power of paralegals aligns closely with the earnings available in the region. Law firms that tend to pay the most include larger corporate legal departments and government offices, with in-house roles often providing a steadier pay rate and better work-life balance. Variances in compensation can arise from the type of legal work being done; specialties like e-discovery typically attract higher wages when compared to general legal assistance. In terms of career advancement strategies, pursuing certification through organizations like NALA or NFPA can improve a paralegal’s marketability and potential earnings. Additionally, paralegals fluent in languages such as Spanish or Mandarin can find themselves in better negotiating positions, given the demand for bilingual professionals.
More salary data for Peoria, AZ:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $52,265 for paralegalsin the Peoria metropolitan area. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Peoria 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