Paralegal Salary in Manhattan, KS: $49,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Manhattan, KS earns a median $49,571/year (≈ $23.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Manhattan's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $54,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.2% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Strong demand exists for paralegals in Manhattan, KS, with a projected median annual salary of $49,571 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $65,097. This salary reflects a range of earnings from $37,636 at the 10th percentile to $75,894 at the 90th percentile. As derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, these figures reveal noteworthy context regarding local employment opportunities. A distinct highlight for paralegals is the capability to specialize in e-discovery, particularly within tools like Relativity and Concordance, which can enhance earning potential markedly compared to generalist roles. This specialty drives significant premiums in compensation, presenting a lucrative pathway for professionals to explore within the area's legal landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,636 | $18.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,566 | $19.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,571 | $23.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,806 | $29.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,894 | $36.49 |
Median Salary Position
23.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manhattan
In Manhattan, KS, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,258 (2026 est.). At $49,571, the local median is 23.85% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manhattan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manhattan Paralegal Pay Compares
Manhattan median: $49,571/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manhattan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $59,154 | -16.20% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -23.85% less |
Paralegals in Manhattan, KS earn a median of $49,571 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.85% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 16.20% below the Kansas state average of $59,154.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manhattan has a cost of living 9.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manhattan, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.162 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $49,571 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,980 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,399
2025 BLS Actual
$47,890
2026 Current Est.
$49,571
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,399 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,311 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manhattan metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $39,399 (2019) to $47,890 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,311 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,912 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manhattan 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) | $37,636 – $40,566 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,566 – $49,571 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,571 – $61,806 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,806 – $75,894 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Manhattan
Given that there are around 70 paralegals working in Manhattan, job prospects remain relatively stable. However, the cost-of-living index at 90.162 suggests that take-home pay may stretch less than it would in higher-cost areas. Local law firms, particularly mid-size and boutique firms, provide varying salaries influenced by firm reputation and specialty focus. Positions within corporate legal departments and government legal offices may offer competitive pay but often prioritize work-life balance over compensation. Factors like firm tier and areas of specialization create considerable variability in earnings, with e-discovery and certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA often correlating with higher pay. For those seeking to maximize their paralegal pay in Manhattan, KS, cultivating a specialty and pursuing relevant certifications can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Manhattan, KS:
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 $47,890 for paralegalsin the Manhattan 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, 6-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