Paralegal Salary in Benton, AR: $55,418 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Benton, AR earns a median $55,418/year (≈ $26.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $63,772 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, the projected median annual pay for paralegals in 2026 is estimated at $55,418, which falls notably below the national median of $65,097. The salary range for paralegals in the area spans from $39,244 at the 10th percentile to $85,850 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional cost of living. The distinct divide among different types of legal employers is likely to affect earnings substantially. While larger firms, often categorized as BigLaw, tend to offer higher salaries, mid-market and small boutique firms present varied compensation structures that can impact long-term career growth in the paralegal field.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,244 | $18.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,757 | $21.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,418 | $26.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,187 | $33.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,850 | $41.27 |
Median Salary Position
14.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,606 (2026 est.). At $55,418, the local median is 14.87% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Benton Paralegal Pay Compares
Benton median: $55,418/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $56,549 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -14.87% less |
Paralegals in Benton, AR earn a median of $55,418 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.87% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $56,549.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $55,418 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,772 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,047
2025 BLS Actual
$53,539
2026 Current Est.
$55,418
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,047 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,051 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,869 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,398 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,904 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,161 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,539 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,418 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,363 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $44,047 (2019) to $53,539 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,363 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,316 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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) | $39,244 – $43,757 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,757 – $55,418 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,418 – $69,187 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,187 – $85,850 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Benton
The paralegal job market in Benton is relatively small, with only five paralegals currently employed in the area. This limited presence coincides with a cost-of-living index of 86.9, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the lower cost of living can enhance overall purchasing power. Among local employers, those working in larger law firms or state and federal government positions typically offer the most competitive pay. The wide salary gap seen in Benton can be attributed to several factors, including the tier of the firm, specific legal specialties such as e-discovery, and certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA. For paralegals looking to maximize their pay, pursuing specialized training and certifications, actively seeking opportunities in higher-paying sectors, and considering in-house corporate roles offer viable strategies for enhancing their financial prospects in Benton, AR.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 $53,539 for paralegalsin the Benton 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 Benton 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