Paralegal Salary in Somerville, MA: $68,268 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Somerville, MA earns a median $68,268/year (≈ $32.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Somerville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $62,920 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegal salaries in Somerville, Massachusetts, are projected to reach a median annual salary of $68,268, outperforming the national median of $65,097 by approximately 4.87%. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $48,692 at the 10th percentile to $105,815 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earning potential based on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data, taking into account regional cost adjustments. Given the ever-growing demand for legal professionals with specialized skills, particularly in e-discovery and software like Relativity, there’s a notable premium for those with expertise in these areas, suggesting a vibrant job market for paralegals in Somerville.
About the Somerville Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,692 | $23.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,229 | $26.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,268 | $32.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,184 | $41.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,815 | $50.88 |
Median Salary Position
4.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Somerville
In Somerville, MA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,123 (2026 est.). At $68,268, the local median is 4.87% above the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Somerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Somerville Paralegal Pay Compares
Somerville median: $68,268/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Somerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $67,325 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | +4.87% more |
Paralegals in Somerville, MA earn a median of $68,268 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.87% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 1.40% above the Massachusetts state average of $67,325.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Somerville has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Somerville, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,268 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,920 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,260
2025 BLS Actual
$65,953
2026 Current Est.
$68,268
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Somerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,497 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,969 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,083 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,939 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,186 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,953 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,268 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,664 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Somerville metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $54,260 (2019) to $65,953 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,664 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,404 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Somerville 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) | $48,692 – $54,229 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,229 – $68,268 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,268 – $86,184 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,184 – $105,815 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Somerville
The local job market for paralegals remains competitive, with around 20 employed within the area. While Somerville's cost of living index is relatively high at 108.5, the purchasing power for paralegals can still be favourable, especially for those positioned in top-tier law firms or corporate legal departments. Employers such as large corporate legal teams typically offer higher wages compared to the public sector or smaller law practices. Variability in pay can often be attributed to factors such as firm size, area of specialization, and certifications like those from NALA or NFPA. To maximize earning potential in Somerville, pursuing certifications, gaining experience in sought-after specialties, and continuously enhancing skills in legal technology can significantly impact overall compensation.
More salary data for Somerville, 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 $65,953 for paralegalsin the Somerville 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 Somerville 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