Paralegal Salary in Pennsylvania: $69,525 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $69,525/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,381 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($70,430), Pittsburgh ($63,620), Bethlehem ($62,486).
In Pennsylvania, the projected average median salary for paralegals in 2026 is $69,526, exceeding the national median of $65,097 by 6.8%. Philadelphia offers the highest compensation at $72,902, while Altoona has the lowest at $50,834, creating a significant salary gap of $22,068. The difference in pay can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of law firms, corporate legal departments, and specialized legal services in urban areas compared to more rural settings. Key factors affecting the paralegal landscape in Pennsylvania include specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that shape the job market. The demand for paralegals is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.51%, driven by a burgeoning legal sector and an increasing need for legal services across various industries. Looking at the top five projected cities for 2026, paralegal salaries are anticipated to be $72,902 in Philadelphia, $65,853 in Pittsburgh, $64,679 in Bethlehem, $63,948 in Lancaster, and $63,141 in Allentown. The overall employment of paralegals in the state stands at 17,030, indicating a strong job market for those entering the profession.
Pennsylvania Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $39,499 (lowest entry-level) to $105,570 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania paralegals earn 6.80% more than the national median (+$4,428/year difference).
Pennsylvania Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Pennsylvania range from $49,444 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,826 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $69,525. The Pennsylvania median is $4,428 above the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $33.43/hr. Approximately 17,030 paralegals are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,765
2025 BLS Actual
$67,168
2026 Current Est.
$69,525
2019–2027 Growth
+33.9%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,765 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,018 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,862 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,994 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,168 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,525 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,966 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 24.9% from $53,765 (2019) to $67,168 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,966 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,201 (33.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Altoona | $50,834 |
| Chambersburg | $51,227 |
| Williamsport | $51,765 |
| West Chester | $56,758 |
| Pottstown | $57,178 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $72,902 | 102.554 | $71,086 |
| Johnstown | $60,439 | 85.929 | $70,336 |
| Pittsburgh | $65,853 | 94.671 | $69,560 |
| Bethlehem | $64,679 | 97.4 | $66,406 |
| Lebanon | $61,578 | 93.214 | $66,061 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,444 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $69,525 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,826 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $72,902 |
| 2 | Pittsburgh | $65,853 |
| 3 | Bethlehem | $64,679 |
| 4 | Lancaster | $63,948 |
| 5 | Allentown | $63,141 |
| 6 | Harrisburg | $62,479 |
| 7 | Easton | $62,057 |
| 8 | Lebanon | $61,578 |
| 9 | York | $61,485 |
| 10 | Reading | $60,626 |
| 11 | Johnstown | $60,439 |
| 12 | State College | $59,705 |
| 13 | Wilkes-Barre | $59,661 |
| 14 | Scranton | $59,622 |
| 15 | Hazleton | $58,833 |
| 16 | Norristown | $58,720 |
| 17 | Chester | $58,584 |
| 18 | Erie | $58,007 |
| 19 | New Castle | $58,003 |
| 20 | Pottstown | $57,178 |
| 21 | West Chester | $56,758 |
| 22 | Williamsport | $51,765 |
| 23 | Chambersburg | $51,227 |
| 24 | Altoona | $50,834 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore paralegal hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in Pennsylvania?
How many paralegals are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 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