Paralegal Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $62,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $62,665/year (≈ $30.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $69,188 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the 2026 median annual pay for paralegals is projected to be $62,665, reflecting a competitive compensation within the state's legal market albeit slightly lower than the national median of $65,097. Paralegals in the area can expect a salary range that spans from $36,870 at the lower tenth percentile to $84,185 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, showcasing the financial landscape that paralegals encounter in local law firms, corporate departments, and government offices. Moreover, the employment of around 80 paralegals in Elizabethtown indicates a stable job market, fostering opportunities for both entry-level and seasoned professionals in various tiered settings, from BigLaw firms to smaller boutique operations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,870 | $17.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,718 | $22.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,665 | $30.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,448 | $36.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,185 | $40.47 |
Median Salary Position
3.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,315 (2026 est.). At $62,665, the local median is 3.74% below the national median of $65,097.
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How Elizabethtown Paralegal Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $62,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $61,983 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -3.74% less |
Paralegals in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $62,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.74% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.10% above the Kentucky state average of $61,983.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 9.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.572 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $62,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,188 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,250
2025 BLS Actual
$60,540
2026 Current Est.
$62,665
2019–2027 Growth
+50.0%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 40.0% from $43,250 (2019) to $60,540 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,614 (49.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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) | $36,870 – $47,718 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,718 – $62,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,665 – $75,448 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,448 – $84,185 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Elizabethtown
With a cost-of-living index of 90.572, Elizabethtown offers a relatively affordable lifestyle, which enhances the purchasing power of paralegals working in the area. The local job market sees paralegal positions spread across law firms, corporate legal departments, and public sector roles, with higher-paying opportunities often found in corporate settings or specific specialties such as e-discovery, which commands premium compensation. Factors such as the firm type, legal specialty, and certification status (like those conferred by NALA or NFPA) significantly influence salary variation. For instance, BigLaw paralegals typically earn more than their mid-sized or small firm counterparts, but they may sacrifice work-life balance due to demanding hours. To maximize earnings in Elizabethtown, paralegals can focus on gaining certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, and considering contract or freelance work to further enhance their income potential.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
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 $60,540 for paralegalsin the Elizabethtown 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, 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