Paralegal Salary in Davis, CA: $69,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Davis, CA earns a median $69,722/year (≈ $33.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $61,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated paralegal salary in Davis, California, is projected to reach $69,722, positioning it slightly higher than the national median of $65,097. The salary range for local paralegals varies significantly, with the lower 10th percentile earning around $50,069 and the top 90th percentile receiving as much as $108,070, reflecting the diverse opportunities in the region. Given these figures are drawn from BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, it’s evident that paralegals in Davis can expect competitive pay. While corporate legal departments may offer more stability and better work-life balance, many paralegals in the area find themselves weighing these benefits against the higher pay often associated with positions in law firms, particularly larger firms that tend to demand longer hours.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,069 | $24.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,691 | $26.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,722 | $33.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,244 | $42.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,070 | $51.95 |
Median Salary Position
7.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,001 (2026 est.). At $69,722, the local median is 7.1% above the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davis Paralegal Pay Compares
Davis median: $69,722/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $72,027 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | +7.10% more |
Paralegals in Davis, CA earn a median of $69,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.10% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 3.20% below the California state average of $72,027.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,722 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,646 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,416
2025 BLS Actual
$67,358
2026 Current Est.
$69,722
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,416 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,225 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,406 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,302 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,376 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,358 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,170 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $55,416 (2019) to $67,358 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,170 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,754 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis 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) | $50,069 – $55,691 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,691 – $69,722 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,722 – $89,244 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,244 – $108,070 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Davis
With just 14 paralegals currently employed in Davis, the local job market remains relatively small, yet the growth rate of 3.51% indicates steady demand. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the higher living expenses can influence overall take-home pay. Those seeking to maximize paralegal pay in Davis should consider roles in BigLaw or specialized areas such as e-discovery, which typically demand higher compensation for specific skills. Government positions may also provide stable pay, but often fall below private sector standards. To achieve better salary outcomes, pursuing certifications from entities like NALA or NFPA can enhance qualifications, while developing a specialty or bilingual skills can further improve market value.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
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 $67,358 for paralegalsin the Davis 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 Davis 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