Paralegal Salary in Wilmington, NC: $58,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Wilmington, NC earns a median $58,028/year (≈ $27.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $60,181 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Wilmington, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median salary of $58,028, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $65,097. The salary range for these professionals spans from $41,497 at the 10th percentile to $78,254 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 OEWS data, indicate that salaries can vary significantly based on the type of firm a paralegal is associated with—BigLaw positions typically yield higher pay due to the demanding nature of the work, while mid-market and small firms may offer more manageable hours but lower compensation. As Wilmington's legal scene includes a mix of various organizational structures, this creates a diverse marketplace for paralegal employment with varied pay implications.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,497 | $19.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,391 | $23.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,028 | $27.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,836 | $32.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,254 | $37.63 |
Median Salary Position
10.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,757 (2026 est.). At $58,028, the local median is 10.86% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Paralegal Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $58,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $53,433 | +8.60% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -10.86% less |
Paralegals in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $58,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.86% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 8.60% above the North Carolina state average of $53,433.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $58,028 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,181 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,600
2025 BLS Actual
$56,060
2026 Current Est.
$58,028
2019–2027 Growth
+51.7%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,064 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 41.6% from $39,600 (2019) to $56,060 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,064 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,464 (51.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $41,497 – $48,391 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,391 – $58,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,028 – $66,836 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,836 – $78,254 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Wilmington
The job market for paralegals in Wilmington is robust, with approximately 580 positions currently filled, reflecting a steady demand for these professionals in the region. The cost-of-living index in Wilmington stands at 96.422, suggesting that while the salary figures may lag behind national averages, the purchasing power in the area remains reasonable. Law firms, particularly those categorized as BigLaw, generally provide the highest pay, but corporate in-house positions offer stability and a better work-life balance. Factors contributing to the variance in pay include specialization in areas like e-discovery, which commands higher rates, as well as additional certifications such as those from NALA or NFPA. To maximize paralegal pay in Wilmington NC, pursuing specialization, obtaining certifications, and considering roles in high-demand sectors can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $56,060 for paralegalsin the Wilmington 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