Paralegal Salary in Bristol, RI: $61,932 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Bristol, RI earns a median $61,932/year (≈ $29.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $61,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Bristol, Rhode Island, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,932, slightly trailing the national median of $65,097. The salary range for paralegals in this area spans from $45,222 at the 10th percentile to $95,995 at the 90th percentile, showcasing considerable variability. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living. Those seeking paralegal positions in Bristol may face a choice between the robust pay typically offered by larger law firms and the more balanced work-life options available in corporate legal departments. With just five paralegals reported to be employed locally, the market reflects a mix of opportunities and challenges.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,222 | $21.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,454 | $23.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,932 | $29.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,686 | $35.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,995 | $46.16 |
Median Salary Position
4.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,773 (2026 est.). At $61,932, the local median is 4.86% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Paralegal Pay Compares
Bristol median: $61,932/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $65,398 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -4.86% less |
Paralegals in Bristol, RI earn a median of $61,932 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $65,398.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,932 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,624 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,224
2025 BLS Actual
$59,832
2026 Current Est.
$61,932
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,224 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,347 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,496 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,321 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,005 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,083 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,832 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,932 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,106 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $49,224 (2019) to $59,832 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,106 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,882 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $45,222 – $49,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,454 – $61,932 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,932 – $74,686 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,686 – $95,995 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Bristol
The job market in Bristol offers unique opportunities, particularly as the local cost of living index sits at 100.5, slightly above the national average. This means that despite competitive salaries, the purchasing power of paralegal wages is a consideration for potential candidates. Legal professionals here may find the highest salaries in larger law firms focusing on specialized fields like e-discovery, where expertise in tools such as Relativity can significantly enhance compensation. Additionally, corporate in-house positions may offer more stability and better work-life balance, albeit usually at a lower pay rate. The disparity in earnings can also be attributed to factors such as the level of certification—those with NALA CP or NFPA RP credentials often attract higher pay, along with those who are bilingual. To maximize salary potential in Bristol, gaining certifications, seeking specialty roles, and networking within local industries are practical strategies worth pursuing.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
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 $59,832 for paralegalsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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