Paralegal Salary in Colorado: $78,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $78,213/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $74,489 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Centennial ($81,237), Denver ($80,500), Aurora ($78,732).
In 2026, the average median salary for paralegals in Colorado is projected to be $78,213, which exceeds the national median of $65,097 by 20.1%. The highest paying city is Centennial, averaging $84,088, while Golden, the lowest paying city, offers an average of $61,764. This salary gap of $22,324 between the highest and lowest paying cities can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for legal services, and the presence of larger law firms in metropolitan areas. Colorado's regulatory landscape also plays a role in salary variations. The state does not require paralegals to be licensed, but it does establish a framework for their scope of practice. Demand for paralegals is strong, fueled by an expanding legal market and the state’s growing population. Projections indicate a job growth rate of 3.51% annually, reflecting a steady increase in employment opportunities. Major cities like Denver, Aurora, Fort Collins, and Loveland also show competitive salaries, averaging $83,326, $81,495, $71,877, and $70,155 respectively. Overall, Colorado presents a promising environment for paralegals in terms of salary and job growth.
Colorado Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $44,282 (lowest entry-level) to $130,337 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado paralegals earn 20.15% more than the national median (+$13,116/year difference).
Colorado Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Colorado range from $59,055 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $111,114 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $78,213. The Colorado median is $13,116 above the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $37.60/hr. Approximately 5,669 paralegals are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,451
2025 BLS Actual
$75,561
2026 Current Est.
$78,213
2019–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,451 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,851 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,984 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,576 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,166 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,151 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,561 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,958 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.0% from $62,451 (2019) to $75,561 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,958 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,507 (29.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Golden | $61,764 |
| Pueblo | $61,982 |
| Evans | $62,148 |
| Louisville | $62,512 |
| Durango | $62,880 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial | $84,088 | 105 | $80,084 |
| Denver | $83,326 | 105.782 | $78,771 |
| Aurora | $81,495 | 105 | $77,614 |
| Fort Collins | $71,877 | 101.128 | $71,075 |
| Pueblo | $61,982 | 91.762 | $67,546 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,055 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $78,213 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $111,114 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centennial | $84,088 |
| 2 | Denver | $83,326 |
| 3 | Aurora | $81,495 |
| 4 | Fort Collins | $71,877 |
| 5 | Loveland | $70,155 |
| 6 | Arvada | $68,712 |
| 7 | Boulder | $68,410 |
| 8 | Thornton | $68,159 |
| 9 | Westminster | $67,481 |
| 10 | Lakewood | $67,156 |
| 11 | Colorado Springs | $67,106 |
| 12 | Greeley | $66,888 |
| 13 | Parker | $66,517 |
| 14 | Erie | $66,396 |
| 15 | Windsor | $66,230 |
| 16 | Castle Rock | $66,103 |
| 17 | Broomfield | $66,081 |
| 18 | Longmont | $66,060 |
| 19 | Englewood | $65,553 |
| 20 | Commerce City | $65,097 |
| 21 | Lafayette | $64,944 |
| 22 | Wheat Ridge | $64,570 |
| 23 | Brighton | $63,965 |
| 24 | Littleton | $63,752 |
| 25 | Fountain | $63,715 |
| 26 | Northglenn | $63,652 |
| 27 | Grand Junction | $63,576 |
| 28 | Steamboat Springs | $63,279 |
| 29 | Durango | $62,880 |
| 30 | Louisville | $62,512 |
| 31 | Evans | $62,148 |
| 32 | Pueblo | $61,982 |
| 33 | Golden | $61,764 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Compare Cities in Colorado
View all comparisons →Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Colorado?
How does Colorado paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in Colorado?
How many paralegals are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for paralegals?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 paralegal compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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