Paralegal Salary in New York: $75,009 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $75,009/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,719 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: New York ($75,330), Poughkeepsie ($62,295), Kingston ($62,210).
In 2026, paralegals in New York are projected to earn an average median salary of $75,009, which is 15.2% higher than the national median of $65,097. The highest paying city, New York, will see paralegal salaries reaching $77,974, while the lowest paying city, Rome, lags behind at $56,197, indicating a salary gap of $21,777. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of law firms and corporations in major urban areas, along with variations in the cost of living and the demand for legal services. New York has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that shape the paralegal profession. Understanding these regulations is crucial for those entering the field. The expected annual growth rate of 3.51% in paralegal positions reflects the ongoing demand for legal support in a diverse range of industries. The total employment for paralegals in the state is projected to be 41,200, with major cities like Poughkeepsie ($64,482), Kingston ($64,394), Yonkers ($64,151), and Troy ($64,053) detailing additional salary opportunities. The job market remains strong due to the increasing complexity of legal matters and the essential role paralegals play in efficiently managing these cases.
New York Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $40,783 (lowest entry-level) to $125,423 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York paralegals earn 15.23% more than the national median (+$9,912/year difference).
New York Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in New York range from $50,284 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $118,296 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,009. The New York median is $9,912 above the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $36.06/hr. Approximately 41,200 paralegals are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,524
2025 BLS Actual
$72,465
2026 Current Est.
$75,009
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,524 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,606 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,493 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,231 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,073 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,465 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,009 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,642 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 30.5% from $55,524 (2019) to $72,465 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,642 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,118 (39.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Rome | $56,197 |
| Utica | $56,775 |
| Cortland | $57,587 |
| Plattsburgh | $57,761 |
| Watertown | $58,162 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $77,974 | 112.563 | $69,271 |
| Binghamton | $62,541 | 92.863 | $67,348 |
| Watertown | $58,162 | 87.69 | $66,327 |
| Syracuse | $63,296 | 95.742 | $66,111 |
| Glens Falls | $61,247 | 94.866 | $64,562 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,284 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,009 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $118,296 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $77,974 |
| 2 | Poughkeepsie | $64,482 |
| 3 | Kingston | $64,394 |
| 4 | Yonkers | $64,151 |
| 5 | Troy | $64,053 |
| 6 | Kiryas Joel | $63,503 |
| 7 | Syracuse | $63,296 |
| 8 | New Rochelle | $62,830 |
| 9 | Albany | $62,810 |
| 10 | Ithaca | $62,675 |
| 11 | Binghamton | $62,541 |
| 12 | Mount Vernon | $62,126 |
| 13 | Newburgh | $62,124 |
| 14 | Long Beach | $61,647 |
| 15 | Niagara Falls | $61,613 |
| 16 | Schenectady | $61,446 |
| 17 | Glens Falls | $61,247 |
| 18 | Spring Valley | $60,953 |
| 19 | White Plains | $60,873 |
| 20 | Jamestown | $60,798 |
| 21 | Valley Stream | $60,701 |
| 22 | Middletown | $60,449 |
| 23 | Hempstead | $60,383 |
| 24 | Buffalo | $60,315 |
| 25 | Saratoga Springs | $60,084 |
| 26 | North Tonawanda | $59,730 |
| 27 | Auburn | $59,440 |
| 28 | Freeport | $59,269 |
| 29 | Rochester | $59,259 |
| 30 | Oswego | $58,654 |
| 31 | Lackawanna | $58,532 |
| 32 | Amsterdam | $58,504 |
| 33 | Oneonta | $58,363 |
| 34 | Elmira | $58,204 |
| 35 | Watertown | $58,162 |
| 36 | Plattsburgh | $57,761 |
| 37 | Cortland | $57,587 |
| 38 | Utica | $56,775 |
| 39 | Rome | $56,197 |
More New York Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.
Compare Cities in New York
View all comparisons →Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in New York?
How does New York paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in New York?
How many paralegals are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for paralegals?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 paralegal compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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