Paralegal Salary in Virginia: $62,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $62,518/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,579 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($80,901), Richmond ($62,940), Norfolk ($60,682).
In Virginia, the projected average median salary for paralegals in 2026 is $62,518, which is slightly below the national median of $65,097, indicating a 4.0% difference. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Alexandria offering the highest average salary of $83,741, while Lynchburg presents the lowest at $52,438. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of law firms and corporate legal departments in urban areas versus more rural locations. Virginia's paralegal profession is shaped by state licensing requirements and specific scope of practice laws, which can influence salary levels and job responsibilities. The demand for paralegals continues to grow, with an annual compound growth rate of 3.51% anticipated from 2025, driven by an increasing need for legal services across various sectors. Cities like Richmond and Norfolk also reflect strong salary averages at $65,149 and $62,812, respectively, supporting a diverse job market for aspiring paralegals. As the legal landscape in Virginia continues to evolve, job opportunities should remain steady, fostering a positive outlook for those entering the field.
Virginia Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $39,924 (lowest entry-level) to $129,798 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia paralegals earn 3.96% less than the national median ($-2,579/year difference).
Virginia Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Virginia range from $48,239 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,660 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,518. The Virginia median is $2,579 below the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $30.06/hr. Approximately 5,090 paralegals are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,788
2025 BLS Actual
$60,398
2026 Current Est.
$62,518
2019–2027 Growth
+44.5%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,072 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,742 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,912 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,897 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,398 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,712 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 34.9% from $44,788 (2019) to $60,398 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,712 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,924 (44.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Lynchburg | $52,438 |
| Harrisonburg | $52,656 |
| Staunton | $52,676 |
| Falls Church | $55,968 |
| Herndon | $56,858 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $83,741 | 103.2 | $81,144 |
| Richmond | $65,149 | 97.858 | $66,575 |
| Roanoke | $62,168 | 93.618 | $66,406 |
| Blacksburg | $60,367 | 92.71 | $65,114 |
| Virginia Beach | $61,889 | 97.941 | $63,190 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,239 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,518 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,660 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $83,741 |
| 2 | Richmond | $65,149 |
| 3 | Norfolk | $62,812 |
| 4 | Roanoke | $62,168 |
| 5 | Chesapeake | $62,129 |
| 6 | Virginia Beach | $61,889 |
| 7 | Charlottesville | $61,837 |
| 8 | Radford | $61,422 |
| 9 | Newport News | $61,170 |
| 10 | Winchester | $60,698 |
| 11 | Hampton | $60,631 |
| 12 | Blacksburg | $60,367 |
| 13 | Centreville | $60,348 |
| 14 | Burke | $59,940 |
| 15 | Suffolk | $59,681 |
| 16 | Tuckahoe | $59,511 |
| 17 | Ashburn | $59,425 |
| 18 | McLean | $59,421 |
| 19 | Reston | $59,358 |
| 20 | Danville | $59,346 |
| 21 | Fredericksburg | $59,092 |
| 22 | Dale City | $59,079 |
| 23 | Manassas | $59,016 |
| 24 | Salem | $58,852 |
| 25 | Leesburg | $58,767 |
| 26 | Portsmouth | $58,734 |
| 27 | Mechanicsville | $58,639 |
| 28 | Springfield | $58,432 |
| 29 | Woodbridge | $58,352 |
| 30 | Sterling | $58,239 |
| 31 | Lake Ridge | $58,163 |
| 32 | Linton Hall | $58,098 |
| 33 | Fairfax | $57,949 |
| 34 | Waynesboro | $57,665 |
| 35 | Annandale | $57,589 |
| 36 | Williamsburg | $57,478 |
| 37 | Bristol | $57,404 |
| 38 | Herndon | $56,858 |
| 39 | Falls Church | $55,968 |
| 40 | Staunton | $52,676 |
| 41 | Harrisonburg | $52,656 |
| 42 | Lynchburg | $52,438 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Virginia?
How does Virginia paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in Virginia?
How many paralegals are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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