Paralegal Salary in Maryland: $67,573 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $67,573/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,823 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($69,693), Gaithersburg ($69,241), Germantown ($69,192).
In Maryland, the projected average median salary for paralegals in 2026 is $67,573, which is 3.8% higher than the national median of $65,097. This salary variation is notable across the state, with Aspen Hill leading at $72,139 and Salisbury at the lower end with $52,190. The disparity in wages between these locations can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for legal services, and the concentration of law firms. Major cities like Gaithersburg, Germantown, Ellicott City, and Waldorf follow closely behind Aspen Hill, with salaries ranging from $71,385 to $71,671. Maryland has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that affect paralegals, driving demand for well-trained professionals in the legal field. The total employment of paralegals in Maryland stands at 4,673, indicating a solid job market. Moreover, the projected growth rate for paralegal positions is 3.51% annually, reflecting a steady demand for legal support professionals in the coming years. For individuals considering a career in this field, understanding these dynamics can provide valuable insights into potential earnings and job prospects in Maryland.
Maryland Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $41,259 (lowest entry-level) to $115,445 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland paralegals earn 3.80% more than the national median (+$2,476/year difference).
Maryland Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Maryland range from $50,720 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $102,736 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,573. The Maryland median is $2,476 above the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $32.49/hr. Approximately 4,673 paralegals are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,574
2025 BLS Actual
$65,282
2026 Current Est.
$67,573
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,574 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,344 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,251 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,265 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,063 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,448 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,282 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,573 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,945 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 19.6% from $54,574 (2019) to $65,282 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,945 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,371 (28.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Salisbury | $52,190 |
| Hagerstown | $65,511 |
| Cumberland | $65,858 |
| Lexington Park | $66,008 |
| Greenbelt | $67,366 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $65,511 | 94.171 | $69,566 |
| Aspen Hill | $72,139 | 109.3 | $66,001 |
| Gaithersburg | $71,671 | 109.3 | $65,573 |
| Germantown | $71,621 | 109.3 | $65,527 |
| Lexington Park | $66,008 | 100.76 | $65,510 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,720 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,573 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $102,736 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $72,139 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $71,671 |
| 3 | Germantown | $71,621 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $71,457 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $71,385 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $71,141 |
| 7 | Bowie | $70,804 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $70,583 |
| 9 | Frederick | $69,609 |
| 10 | Annapolis | $69,594 |
| 11 | Severn | $69,592 |
| 12 | College Park | $69,456 |
| 13 | Rockville | $69,367 |
| 14 | Silver Spring | $69,333 |
| 15 | Columbia | $69,170 |
| 16 | Potomac | $69,003 |
| 17 | Bethesda | $68,724 |
| 18 | Dundalk | $68,724 |
| 19 | Odenton | $68,489 |
| 20 | Baltimore | $67,944 |
| 21 | Catonsville | $67,933 |
| 22 | Towson | $67,680 |
| 23 | Laurel | $67,590 |
| 24 | Greenbelt | $67,366 |
| 25 | Lexington Park | $66,008 |
| 26 | Cumberland | $65,858 |
| 27 | Hagerstown | $65,511 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $52,190 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Maryland?
How does Maryland paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in Maryland?
How many paralegals are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 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