Paralegal Salary in Needham, MA: $66,172 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Needham, MA earns a median $66,172/year (≈ $31.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Needham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $60,988 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the paralegal salary in Needham, MA, projects a median annual income of $66,172, positioning it slightly above the national median of $65,097. The salary spectrum is wide, ranging from $47,391 at the 10th percentile to $102,566 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various factors such as specialization and employer type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, suggest that paralegals in Needham can expect competitive compensation. Notably, those working in large law firms often earn more but may face more demanding hours compared to their peers employed in corporate legal departments, who tend to enjoy superior work-life balance.
About the Needham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,391 | $22.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,487 | $25.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,172 | $31.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,566 | $49.31 |
Median Salary Position
1.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Needham
In Needham, MA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,175 (2026 est.). At $66,172, the local median is 1.65% above the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Needham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Needham Paralegal Pay Compares
Needham median: $66,172/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Needham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $67,316 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | +1.65% more |
Paralegals in Needham, MA earn a median of $66,172 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.65% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 1.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $67,316.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Needham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Needham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,172 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,988 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$52,594
2025 BLS Actual
$63,928
2026 Current Est.
$66,172
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Needham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,594 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,793 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,158 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,177 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,976 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,755 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,928 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,172 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,495 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Needham metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $52,594 (2019) to $63,928 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,495 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,901 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Needham 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) | $47,391 – $52,487 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,487 – $66,172 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,172 – $82,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,870 – $102,566 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Needham
The local job market for paralegals is relatively small, with only six individuals currently employed in this field. While the cost of living index for Needham sits at 108.5, indicating higher living expenses compared to the national average, paralegal pay in Needham MA is designed to align with these realities. Among various employers, large law firms typically pay the highest salaries, although corporate in-house roles also provide attractive compensation, especially for those with specializations or certifications like NALA or NFPA. The variation in salaries often stems from firm size, area of expertise, and credentials. Paralegals specializing in e-discovery, for instance, can command premium pay. To optimize earnings, paralegals in Needham should pursue specialized certifications, consider in-house opportunities, and aim for roles requiring bilingual proficiency, which can enhance their marketability and compensation potential.
More salary data for Needham, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Needham, MA in 2026?
Is Needham, MA a good place to work as a paralegal?
Can paralegals make $100K in Needham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted paralegal salary in Needham?
How much does a paralegal make per hour in Needham?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $63,928 for paralegalsin the Needham 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 Needham 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