Paralegal Salary in Scranton, PA: $59,622 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Scranton, PA earns a median $59,622/year (≈ $28.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $63,729 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the paralegal profession reflects a diverse range of compensation levels, with a projected median annual salary of $59,622 for 2026. This figure is notable in comparison to the national average of $65,097, indicating a potential shortfall of approximately 8.41% for local paralegals. The salary range varies significantly, from $43,391 at the 10th percentile to $79,651 at the 90th percentile, as reported by BLS OEWS surveys. This disparity often stems from the structural divide between BigLaw, mid-market, and small law firms, where larger firms typically offer higher wages due to increased demands and resources, while smaller firms may provide different benefits such as lower stress and better work-life balance.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,391 | $20.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,648 | $21.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,622 | $28.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,041 | $33.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,651 | $38.30 |
Median Salary Position
8.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,260 (2026 est.). At $59,622, the local median is 8.41% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scranton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scranton Paralegal Pay Compares
Scranton median: $59,622/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $60,653 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -8.41% less |
Paralegals in Scranton, PA earn a median of $59,622 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.41% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.70% below the Pennsylvania state average of $60,653.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $59,622 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,729 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,270
2025 BLS Actual
$57,600
2026 Current Est.
$59,622
2019–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,622 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,714 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 39.6% from $41,270 (2019) to $57,600 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,714 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,444 (49.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $43,391 – $45,648 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,648 – $59,622 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,622 – $69,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,041 – $79,651 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Scranton
The local job market in Scranton employs around 400 paralegals, a number that reflects the steady demand for legal support personnel in the region. With a cost of living index of 93.556, paralegals working here can generally enjoy a favorable purchasing power compared to larger metropolitan areas. Among various employers, law firms, particularly larger ones, tend to offer the highest pay, closely followed by in-house corporate legal departments. Factors influencing salary differences include firm size, specialty areas like e-discovery, and certification levels such as NALA or NFPA membership. Paralegals seeking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing specialized skills and certifications, as these can significantly enhance marketability and compensation levels in the Scranton area.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
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 $57,600 for paralegalsin the Scranton 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