Paralegal Salary in Burien, WA: $65,469 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Burien, WA earns a median $65,469/year (≈ $31.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Burien's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $60,958 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary projected at $65,469 for 2026, paralegal compensation in Burien, Washington, reflects the competitive dynamics of the legal job market. Salaries in this field range from $48,088 at the 10th percentile to $101,477 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant earning potential for those at the higher end of the spectrum. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. The structure of legal employment in Burien is influenced by the presence of various firm types, with BigLaw firms typically offering the highest pay, while smaller and mid-market practices may provide more favorable work-life balance and opportunities for growth. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring paralegals navigate their career paths in the Burien legal market.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,088 | $23.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,049 | $25.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,469 | $31.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,801 | $40.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,477 | $48.78 |
Median Salary Position
0.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
In Burien, WA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,389 (2026 est.). At $65,469, the local median is 0.57% above the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burien: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burien Paralegal Pay Compares
Burien median: $65,469/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burien Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $65,798 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | +0.57% more |
Paralegals in Burien, WA earn a median of $65,469 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.57% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $65,798.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burien has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burien, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,469 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,958 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,035
2025 BLS Actual
$63,249
2026 Current Est.
$65,469
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,035 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,222 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,551 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,538 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,318 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,249 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,469 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,767 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burien metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $52,035 (2019) to $63,249 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,767 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,732 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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) | $48,088 – $53,049 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,049 – $65,469 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,469 – $83,801 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,801 – $101,477 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Burien
Among the eight paralegals currently employed in Burien, the cost-of-living index of 107.4 indicates that while salaries may seem competitive, local economic factors play a crucial role in actual purchasing power. Employers vary significantly in their pay structures; BigLaw firms and in-house corporate legal departments often lead in salary offerings, with federal and state government positions providing stability but potentially lower compensation. Specialty areas such as e-discovery, particularly for paralegals familiar with tools like Relativity, often command the highest salaries. Factors influencing the pay gap include firm size, area of law specialization, and certifications such as those from NALA or NFPA. For paralegals looking to maximize their earning potential in Burien, pursuing certifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialties can be effective strategies in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
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 $63,249 for paralegalsin the Burien 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 Burien 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