Paralegal Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $50,582 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Lee's Summit, MO earns a median $50,582/year (≈ $24.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Lee's Summit's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $56,453 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected paralegal salary in Lee's Summit, MO, for 2026 is $50,582, significantly lower than the national median of $65,097. Compensation for paralegals in this city ranges from $35,968 at the 10th percentile to $78,403 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available. The local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reveal a salary climate shaped by the structural divide within the legal profession, where BigLaw firms often compensate their paralegals at a premium compared to mid-sized and small firms. This salary backdrop is critical for job seekers navigating Lee's Summit's legal market, where the balance between firm size and compensation expectations can significantly influence career choices.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,968 | $17.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,236 | $19.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,582 | $24.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,746 | $31.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,403 | $37.70 |
Median Salary Position
22.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lee's Summit
In Lee's Summit, MO, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,435 (2026 est.). At $50,582, the local median is 22.3% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lee's Summit: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lee's Summit Paralegal Pay Compares
Lee's Summit median: $50,582/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lee's Summit Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $51,042 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -22.30% less |
Paralegals in Lee's Summit, MO earn a median of $50,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.30% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $51,042.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lee's Summit has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lee's Summit, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $50,582 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,453 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,203
2025 BLS Actual
$48,867
2026 Current Est.
$50,582
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,203 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,692 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,375 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,959 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,867 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,582 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,358 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lee's Summit metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $40,203 (2019) to $48,867 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,358 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,155 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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) | $35,968 – $40,236 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,236 – $50,582 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,582 – $64,746 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,746 – $78,403 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Lee's Summit
With approximately 20 paralegals currently employed in Lee's Summit, the market demonstrates a modest presence but steady potential for growth, supported by an annual growth rate of 3.51%. Given the city's cost-of-living index of 89.6, paralegals may find their take-home purchasing power higher compared to urban areas with inflated prices. The most competitive salaries are typically offered by larger law firms and in-house corporate legal departments, while government positions such as public defenders and district attorneys provide both stability and benefits. Pay disparities in the market are driven by factors such as specialty areas, with e-discovery paralegals commanding higher wages due to their technical expertise, as well as certifications from associations like NALA and NFPA that can enhance credentials. For paralegals aiming for the best compensation in Lee's Summit, focusing on certifications and exploring opportunities in specialized sectors may yield the most favorable outcomes.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
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 $48,867 for paralegalsin the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit 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