Paralegal Salary in Youngstown, OH: $48,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Youngstown, OH earns a median $48,691/year (≈ $23.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Youngstown's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.4), that paycheck buys what $55,714 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.2% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Youngstown, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $48,691, highlighting a significant difference compared to the national median of $65,097. The salary range for this occupation is quite varied, spanning from $37,833 at the 10th percentile to $62,054 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on official BLS OEWS surveys, which reveal the implications of the structural divide among firms. In Youngstown, those employed in BigLaw might align closer to the higher end of the pay spectrum, while positions in smaller firms or corporate legal departments may yield lower salaries. This variation reflects the local job market, which is influenced by the type of legal service provided as well as the demand for paralegal specialties.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,833 | $18.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,048 | $19.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,691 | $23.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,196 | $27.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,054 | $29.83 |
Median Salary Position
25.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Youngstown
In Youngstown, OH, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,221 (2026 est.). At $48,691, the local median is 25.2% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Youngstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Youngstown Paralegal Pay Compares
Youngstown median: $48,691/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Youngstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,261 | -19.20% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -25.20% less |
Paralegals in Youngstown, OH earn a median of $48,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.20% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 19.20% below the Ohio state average of $60,261.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Youngstown has a cost of living 12.61% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Youngstown, OH has a cost-of-living index of 87.394 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $48,691 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,714 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.42% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,550
2025 BLS Actual
$47,040
2026 Current Est.
$48,691
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Youngstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,400 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Youngstown metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 32.3% from $35,550 (2019) to $47,040 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,400 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,850 (41.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Youngstown 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) | $37,833 – $40,048 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,048 – $48,691 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,691 – $56,196 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,196 – $62,054 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Youngstown
The paralegal job market in Youngstown is moderately competitive, with approximately 160 paralegals employed in the area. Given the cost of living index of 87.394, which is below the national average, many find that their salaries stretch farther in terms of purchasing power. Employers in Youngstown that typically offer the highest pay include in-house corporate legal departments and larger law firms, but the pay variation is also driven by factors such as specialization, with e-discovery roles often attracting top salaries. Certification from recognized bodies like the NALA or NFPA can further enhance earning potential, particularly for those specializing in high-demand areas. Understanding these dynamics can help paralegals make informed career choices and secure better compensation as they navigate their professional paths in Youngstown, OH.
More salary data for Youngstown, OH:
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 $47,040 for paralegalsin the Youngstown 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