Paralegal Salary in Lawrence, MA: $65,680 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Lawrence, MA earns a median $65,680/year (≈ $31.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $60,535 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Lawrence, Massachusetts, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $65,680, a figure slightly above the national median of $65,097. This salary range, stretching from $48,023 at the lower end (P10) to $101,804 at the upper end (P90), reflects the varied levels of experience and specialization amongst professionals in the field. Local estimates derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) state-level data account for regional price adjustments, which are essential for understanding compensation in an area where the cost of living index is above the national average. The job market for paralegals in Lawrence is robust, driven in part by the demand for specialized skills, particularly in e-discovery and technology-assisted review, significantly boosting earnings for those who acquire these competencies.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,023 | $23.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,056 | $25.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,071 | $40.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,804 | $48.94 |
Median Salary Position
0.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, MA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,781 (2026 est.). At $65,680, the local median is 0.9% above the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Paralegal Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $65,680/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $67,364 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | +0.90% more |
Paralegals in Lawrence, MA earn a median of $65,680 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.90% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 2.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $67,364.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,680 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,535 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,203
2025 BLS Actual
$63,453
2026 Current Est.
$65,680
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,203 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,394 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,733 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,516 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,185 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,453 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,680 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,986 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $52,203 (2019) to $63,453 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,986 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,783 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $48,023 – $53,056 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,056 – $65,680 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,680 – $84,071 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,071 – $101,804 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Lawrence
In Lawrence, the job market accommodates about 16 employed paralegals, where the cost-of-living index of 108.5 means that while salaries are competitive, take-home purchasing power may be affected by higher living expenses. Law firms, particularly those classified as BigLaw or mid-sized, often offer more lucrative pay compared to in-house corporate legal departments or government positions, with variations in compensation driven by firm reputation, employee certification, and particular legal niches. For instance, paralegals with e-discovery expertise can command higher salaries, given the increasing reliance on technology in legal processes. To maximize earnings in this context, aspiring paralegals should consider pursuing certification through recognized bodies like NALA or NFPA, which can open the door to higher-tier positions. Additionally, bilingual skills, especially in Spanish, further enhance earning potential in the diverse legal landscape of Lawrence, MA.
More salary data for Lawrence, MA:
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 $63,453 for paralegalsin the Lawrence 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
Salary data for Lawrence is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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