Paralegal Salary in Burlington, NC: $53,432 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Burlington, NC earns a median $53,432/year (≈ $25.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $57,333 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Paralegals in Burlington, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $53,432 in 2026. This figure falls significantly below the national average of $65,097, highlighting a regional disparity in compensation. Salary ranges reflect a variability in pay based on experience and specialization, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $38,754 and more experienced professionals earning up to $73,741. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates a focus on skill sets such as e-discovery, which commands a premium in paralegal pay in Burlington NC. As the job market continues to evolve, those proficient in specialized areas may find additional opportunities for higher wages in a growing field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,754 | $18.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,091 | $23.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,432 | $25.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,435 | $30.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,741 | $35.45 |
Median Salary Position
17.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,987 (2026 est.). At $53,432, the local median is 17.92% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Paralegal Pay Compares
Burlington median: $53,432/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,097 | -17.92% less |
Paralegals in Burlington, NC earn a median of $53,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.92% lower than the national median of $65,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.196 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $53,432 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,333 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,030
2025 BLS Actual
$51,620
2026 Current Est.
$53,432
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,432 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,307 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 17.2% from $44,030 (2019) to $51,620 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,307 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,277 (25.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $38,754 – $48,091 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,091 – $53,432 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,432 – $64,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,435 – $73,741 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Burlington
In Burlington, the local job market employs around 110 paralegals, providing a competitive yet moderate demand for skilled workers. With a cost-of-living index of 93.196, salaries may stretch further than in many parts of the country, enabling paralegals to maintain a decent standard of living. Employers vary widely in their compensation practices; thus, law firms, especially those with an e-discovery focus, typically offer the highest pay, followed closely by in-house corporate legal departments. The disparity in paralegal salaries is often driven by factors such as firm size, specialization, and any additional certifications like those from NALA or NFPA. Paralegals looking to enhance their pay in Burlington should consider pursuing specialized certifications or gaining experience in high-demand fields, ultimately increasing their value in this evolving market.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
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 $51,620 for paralegalsin the Burlington 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
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