Paralegal Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $59,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $59,661/year (≈ $28.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $61,254 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, can expect a median salary of $59,661, reflecting a notable discrepancy compared to the national median of $65,097. The local salary range starts at $42,697 for entry-level positions and can extend up to $92,475 for highly experienced professionals. This variation can often be attributed to the different types of employers, as paralegals working in corporate legal departments might emphasize work-life balance and steady hours, while those in law firms can command notably higher pay but often face longer hours and intensified demands. The figures presented are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and incorporate regional cost adjustments, illustrating a salary landscape shaped by the current employment climate in Wilkes-Barre.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,697 | $20.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,439 | $22.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,661 | $28.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,807 | $35.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,475 | $44.46 |
Median Salary Position
8.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,778 (2026 est.). At $59,661, the local median is 8.35% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Paralegal Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $59,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $60,631 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -8.35% less |
Paralegals in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $59,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.35% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $60,631.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $59,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,254 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,419
2025 BLS Actual
$57,638
2026 Current Est.
$59,661
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,419 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,501 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,534 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,256 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,878 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,427 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,638 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $47,419 (2019) to $57,638 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,336 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $42,697 – $47,439 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,439 – $59,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,661 – $74,807 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,807 – $92,475 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
The local job market currently employs 11 paralegals, a figure that signifies a specialized niche within Wilkes-Barre's economy. With a cost-of-living index of 97.4, the take-home purchasing power for paralegals here is slightly better than average, enabling them to enjoy reasonable affordability in daily expenses. Among the various employer types, corporate legal departments generally offer more stable compensation compared to law firms and governmental agencies, although larger firms can pay more in premium roles, especially for specialties like e-discovery or M&A. The disparity in salaries can also be influenced by factors like certification, with credentials such as those from NALA or NFPA enhancing earning potential. For those looking to maximize their pay in this specific market, obtaining additional certifications or skills in high-demand areas like bilingual abilities or e-discovery can significantly impact overall compensation.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, 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 $57,638 for paralegalsin the Wilkes-Barre 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
Salary data for Wilkes-Barre is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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