Paralegal Salary in Little Rock, AR: $49,364 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Little Rock, AR earns a median $49,364/year (≈ $23.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $55,239 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.7% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Little Rock, Arkansas, are projected to earn a median salary of $49,364, reflecting the varying pay scales associated with different types of law firms. The salary range for these professionals spans from $39,065 at the 10th percentile to $84,185 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant disparities based on factors like firm size and legal specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, highlight that while BigLaw generally offers higher pay, mid-sized firms and small practices may provide more stable environments with better work-life balance. This dual nature of the market in Little Rock offers potential paralegals a choice between rewarding salaries and manageable workloads.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,065 | $18.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,018 | $23.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,364 | $23.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,460 | $31.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,185 | $40.47 |
Median Salary Position
24.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,120 (2026 est.). At $49,364, the local median is 24.17% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Little Rock Paralegal Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $49,364/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $56,545 | -12.70% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -24.17% less |
Paralegals in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $49,364 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.17% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 12.70% below the Arkansas state average of $56,545.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $49,364 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,239 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,640
2025 BLS Actual
$47,690
2026 Current Est.
$49,364
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,892 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,234 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,364 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,097 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 23.4% from $38,640 (2019) to $47,690 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,097 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,457 (32.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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) | $39,065 – $48,018 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,018 – $49,364 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,364 – $65,460 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,460 – $84,185 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Little Rock
The local job market in Little Rock supports around 680 paralegals, making it a viable area for those entering the field. With a cost-of-living index of 89.364, paralegal pay in Little Rock AR allows for a reasonable standard of living, although it remains below the national average. Among various employers, BigLaw firms tend to pay the highest salaries, attracting talent with the promise of premium compensation, albeit often accompanied by demanding hours. In contrast, corporate legal departments provide competitive salaries and enhanced work-life balance, drawing some professionals away from traditional law firms. Specializations like e-discovery command the highest pay tiers, while certifications from recognized bodies like NALA and NFPA can further elevate earnings. For paralegals in Little Rock, pursuing advanced certifications and acquiring specialized skills can significantly improve their market value and overall compensation.
More salary data for Little Rock, 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 $47,690 for paralegalsin the Little Rock 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
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