Paralegal Salary in Massachusetts: $79,504 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $79,504/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $73,276 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($79,850), Newton ($79,208), Cambridge ($77,943).
In Massachusetts, the projected average median salary for paralegals in 2026 is $79,504, significantly exceeding the national median of $65,097 by 22.1%. The salary variation across the state is marked, with Boston offering the highest average at $82,653, while Andover presents the lowest at $63,768. This roughly $18,885 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of law firms, corporate legal departments, and the overall cost of living, which tends to be higher in urban areas like Boston. The state has specific licensing requirements and practice laws that can affect career opportunities for paralegals, emphasizing the need for knowledge in various legal areas. Demand for paralegals continues to grow, with an annual growth rate of 3.51%, reflecting a steady increase in legal services and the need for support staff in Massachusetts. Currently, there are 8,167 paralegals employed across the state, with top cities such as Newton ($81,988), Cambridge ($80,679), Worcester ($73,482), and Lynn ($69,174) contributing to the diverse job market. This overall outlook signifies a strong demand for skilled paralegals, aligning with projected salary growth and employment stability in the region.
Massachusetts Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $35,711 (lowest entry-level) to $130,909 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts paralegals earn 22.13% more than the national median (+$14,407/year difference).
Massachusetts Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Massachusetts range from $49,417 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $123,968 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,504. The Massachusetts median is $14,407 above the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $38.22/hr. Approximately 8,167 paralegals are employed across 59 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,614
2025 BLS Actual
$76,808
2026 Current Est.
$79,504
2019–2027 Growth
+42.8%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,614 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,137 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,312 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,808 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,504 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,295 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 33.3% from $57,614 (2019) to $76,808 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,295 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,681 (42.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Andover | $63,768 |
| Leominster | $63,925 |
| Wellesley | $63,983 |
| Chelmsford | $64,019 |
| Woburn | $64,077 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $82,653 | 108.266 | $76,343 |
| Newton | $81,988 | 108.5 | $75,565 |
| Cambridge | $80,679 | 108.5 | $74,359 |
| Worcester | $73,482 | 102.523 | $71,674 |
| Springfield | $68,130 | 96.061 | $70,924 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,417 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $79,504 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $123,968 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 59 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $82,653 |
| 2 | Newton | $81,988 |
| 3 | Cambridge | $80,679 |
| 4 | Worcester | $73,482 |
| 5 | Lynn | $69,174 |
| 6 | Somerville | $68,268 |
| 7 | Revere | $68,161 |
| 8 | Springfield | $68,130 |
| 9 | Brockton | $67,927 |
| 10 | New Bedford | $67,851 |
| 11 | Plymouth | $67,808 |
| 12 | Malden | $67,563 |
| 13 | Haverhill | $67,553 |
| 14 | Lowell | $67,535 |
| 15 | Framingham | $67,505 |
| 16 | Peabody | $67,414 |
| 17 | Weymouth | $67,211 |
| 18 | Chicopee | $67,008 |
| 19 | Randolph | $66,936 |
| 20 | Quincy | $66,817 |
| 21 | Amherst | $66,737 |
| 22 | Chelsea | $66,732 |
| 23 | Barnstable Town | $66,567 |
| 24 | Medford | $66,550 |
| 25 | Fall River | $66,486 |
| 26 | Marlborough | $66,486 |
| 27 | Watertown | $66,475 |
| 28 | Fitchburg | $66,423 |
| 29 | Methuen | $66,398 |
| 30 | Taunton | $66,369 |
| 31 | Arlington | $66,345 |
| 32 | Amherst Town | $66,298 |
| 33 | Needham | $66,172 |
| 34 | Westfield | $66,141 |
| 35 | Everett | $66,130 |
| 36 | Holyoke | $65,791 |
| 37 | Beverly | $65,681 |
| 38 | Lawrence | $65,680 |
| 39 | Dartmouth | $65,603 |
| 40 | Waltham | $65,536 |
| 41 | Barnstable | $65,467 |
| 42 | Northampton | $65,420 |
| 43 | Brookline | $65,323 |
| 44 | Billerica | $65,222 |
| 45 | Braintree | $65,001 |
| 46 | Salem | $64,891 |
| 47 | Natick | $64,850 |
| 48 | Dracut | $64,511 |
| 49 | Lexington | $64,468 |
| 50 | Stoughton | $64,468 |
| 51 | Pittsfield | $64,394 |
| 52 | Shrewsbury | $64,385 |
| 53 | Franklin | $64,212 |
| 54 | Attleboro | $64,161 |
| 55 | Woburn | $64,077 |
| 56 | Chelmsford | $64,019 |
| 57 | Wellesley | $63,983 |
| 58 | Leominster | $63,925 |
| 59 | Andover | $63,768 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Massachusetts in 2026?
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How does Massachusetts paralegal pay compare to the national average?
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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
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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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