Paralegal Salary in Medford, MA: $66,550 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Medford, MA earns a median $66,550/year (≈ $31.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Medford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $61,336 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Medford, Massachusetts, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $66,550, slightly above the national median of $65,097. Salaries in this area range considerably, from $49,980 at the 10th percentile to as much as $103,152 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the structural divide between BigLaw firms, mid-market practices, and smaller boutiques. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the local cost of living, which indicates that the business environment tends to favor higher pay for roles in larger firms but comes with intensified demands.
About the Medford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,980 | $24.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,799 | $26.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,550 | $31.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,465 | $40.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,152 | $49.59 |
Median Salary Position
2.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
In Medford, MA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,172 (2026 est.). At $66,550, the local median is 2.23% above the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Medford Paralegal Pay Compares
Medford median: $66,550/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $67,358 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | +2.23% more |
Paralegals in Medford, MA earn a median of $66,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.23% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 1.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $67,358.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Medford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,550 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,336 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,894
2025 BLS Actual
$64,293
2026 Current Est.
$66,550
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,894 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,101 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,484 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,521 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,193 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,293 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,550 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,886 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medford metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $52,894 (2019) to $64,293 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,886 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,992 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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) | $49,980 – $54,799 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,799 – $66,550 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,550 – $83,465 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,465 – $103,152 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Medford
The job market for paralegals in Medford remains competitive, with 11 professionals currently employed in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the area is above the national average, impacting how far salaries stretch in the local economy. Larger law firms and in-house corporate legal departments typically offer the most lucrative positions, while public defender offices and district attorneys' roles may provide lower compensation but often prioritize work-life balance. Key factors influencing pay variation include the tier of the firm, the specialty of the role—such as e-discovery or corporate law—and valuable qualifications like certifications from NALA or NFPA. Paralegals looking to maximize their earnings should consider enhancing their skill sets in high-demand areas, pursuing bilingual capabilities, and exploring contract or freelance work opportunities within the region.
More salary data for Medford, 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 $64,293 for paralegalsin the Medford 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 Medford 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