Paralegal Salary in Hampton, VA: $60,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Hampton, VA earns a median $60,631/year (≈ $29.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Hampton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $58,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected for 2026, the paralegal salary in Hampton reaches a median of $60,631, revealing a competitive market relative to national figures, which stand at $65,097. The salary range ranges widely from $43,835 at the 10th percentile to $93,978 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diversity of roles available within this sector. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for local cost dynamics, reflecting what legal professionals can expect in Hampton, VA. While in-house corporate positions often provide a better work-life balance, they may offer lower compensation compared to law firms, especially those in the BigLaw category. Paralegals drawn to the Hampton market will find opportunities varying greatly depending on their career choices, particularly whether they choose law firm roles or corporate legal departments.
About the Hampton Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,835 | $21.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,777 | $23.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,631 | $29.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,608 | $37.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,978 | $45.18 |
Median Salary Position
6.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hampton
In Hampton, VA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,143 (2026 est.). At $60,631, the local median is 6.86% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hampton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hampton Paralegal Pay Compares
Hampton median: $60,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hampton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $60,692 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -6.86% less |
Paralegals in Hampton, VA earn a median of $60,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.86% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.10% below the Virginia state average of $60,692.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hampton has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hampton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,631 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,751 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,190
2025 BLS Actual
$58,575
2026 Current Est.
$60,631
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Hampton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,289 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,372 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,138 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,787 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,036 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,575 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,759 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hampton metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $48,190 (2019) to $58,575 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,759 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,569 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hampton 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) | $43,835 – $48,777 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,777 – $60,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,631 – $77,608 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,608 – $93,978 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Hampton
Within the local job market, there are currently 24 paralegals employed in Hampton, which indicates a relatively stable profession in the region. The cost of living index in this area, at 103.2, suggests that take-home pay can be impacted, requiring careful financial planning and budgeting for residents. Among local employers, those at large law firms tend to offer the most lucrative salaries, while corporate legal departments provide a balance of compensated work and lifestyle flexibility. The disparity in earnings can often be attributed to factors such as firm size, specialization in areas like e-discovery or corporate law, and any relevant certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA. To maximize potential salaries within Hampton, pursuing additional certifications, honing specific legal skills, and being open to varied types of employment—such as contract roles—may serve paralegals well in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Hampton, VA:
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 $58,575 for paralegalsin the Hampton 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 Hampton 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