Paralegal Salary in Washington, UT: $51,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Washington, UT earns a median $51,634/year (≈ $24.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Washington's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $52,634 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Washington, UT, can expect a median annual salary of $51,634, considerably below the national median of $65,097. The salary spectrum in this area ranges from $36,060 at the tenth percentile to $80,033 at the ninetieth percentile, indicating significant variability in compensation based on experience, specialized skills, and type of employment. These estimates are derived from state-level data provided by BLS, adjusted for regional living costs. Importantly, paralegals focusing on e-discovery and tools like Relativity can command higher wages within this market, reflecting the growing demand for such expertise in the legal industry.
About the Washington Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,381 | $20.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,634 | $24.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,884 | $31.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,033 | $38.47 |
Median Salary Position
20.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, UT, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,973 (2026 est.). At $51,634, the local median is 20.68% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Paralegal Pay Compares
Washington median: $51,634/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $53,176 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -20.68% less |
Paralegals in Washington, UT earn a median of $51,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.68% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.90% below the Utah state average of $53,176.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $51,634 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,634 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,039
2025 BLS Actual
$49,883
2026 Current Est.
$51,634
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,039 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,975 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,956 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,883 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,446 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $41,039 (2019) to $49,883 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,446 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,407 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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) | $36,060 – $43,381 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,381 – $51,634 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,634 – $65,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,884 – $80,033 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Washington
With only six paralegals currently employed in Washington, the job market remains competitive yet limited. The cost of living in Washington is slightly below the national average, with a cost of living index of 98.1, which influences the effective purchasing power of a paralegal's salary. Employers from diverse sectors, including law firms of varying sizes and corporate legal departments, dictate pay levels in the area, with larger firms often paying higher salaries. Factors such as firm type, specialization, and professional certification, like those from NALA or NFPA, can greatly affect earnings. Paralegals looking to maximize their compensation may consider gaining certifications in high-demand areas like e-discovery, while also exploring contract or freelance roles that could offer more flexible, albeit varied, pay structures.
More salary data for Washington, UT:
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 $49,883 for paralegalsin the Washington 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 Washington 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