Paralegal Salary in Malden, MA: $67,563 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Malden, MA earns a median $67,563/year (≈ $32.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Malden's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $62,270 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegals in Malden, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $67,563 in 2026, reflecting the city's competitive market compared to the national median of $65,097. The salary range for this role is diverse, spanning from $47,048 at the lower end to $104,723 for experienced professionals, which reveals how the structural divide among major law firms, mid-market firms, and smaller practices influences compensation. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for specific regional economic conditions, indicate that larger firms, often referred to as BigLaw, typically offer higher remuneration but come with demanding workloads. In contrast, smaller and mid-size law firms may provide more manageable hours, though with correspondingly lower pay.
About the Malden Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,048 | $22.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,813 | $25.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,563 | $32.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,916 | $41.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,723 | $50.35 |
Median Salary Position
3.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Malden
In Malden, MA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,675 (2026 est.). At $67,563, the local median is 3.79% above the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Malden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Malden Paralegal Pay Compares
Malden median: $67,563/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Malden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $67,361 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | +3.79% more |
Paralegals in Malden, MA earn a median of $67,563 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.79% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $67,361.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Malden has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Malden, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,563 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,270 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,700
2025 BLS Actual
$65,272
2026 Current Est.
$67,563
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Malden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,924 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,442 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,279 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,369 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,272 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,563 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,935 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Malden metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $53,700 (2019) to $65,272 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,935 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,235 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Malden 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) | $47,048 – $52,813 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,813 – $67,563 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,563 – $85,916 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,916 – $104,723 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Malden
In terms of the local job market, there are currently 15 paralegals employed in Malden, which contributes to a tighter employment landscape. The cost-of-living index in Malden is 108.5, slightly above the national average, implying that take-home pay may not stretch as far as in less expensive regions. Among the best-paying employers are corporate legal departments and established law firms, with in-house positions often offering a preferable work-life balance for paralegals. Salary variations can be attributed to several factors including firm size, job specialty—such as e-discovery—certifications from organizations like NALA and NFPA, and language skills in high-demand languages like Spanish or Mandarin. To maximize earnings in this environment, professionals should consider pursuing niche certifications and seeking employment with larger firms or corporate legal teams that recognize and compensate specialized skills adequately.
More salary data for Malden, 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 $65,272 for paralegalsin the Malden 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 Malden 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