Paralegal Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $63,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Lake Stevens, WA earns a median $63,616/year (≈ $30.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Lake Stevens's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $59,233 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $63,616 in 2026, paralegals in Lake Stevens, WA, demonstrate solid earning potential, particularly when factoring in the specialized e-discovery skills that are in demand across legal and corporate sectors. Those in the lower percentile earn around $48,944, while the top-tier paralegals can see compensation reaching approximately $96,961. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, which accounts for local economic conditions and the regional cost of living. Notably, while the paralegal salary in Lake Stevens ranks slightly below the national median, the environment is promising for those who invest in niche specialties, suggesting a competitive job market with room for growth.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,944 | $23.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,107 | $25.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,616 | $30.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,454 | $37.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,961 | $46.62 |
Median Salary Position
2.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, WA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,017 (2026 est.). At $63,616, the local median is 2.28% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Stevens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Stevens Paralegal Pay Compares
Lake Stevens median: $63,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Stevens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $65,787 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -2.28% less |
Paralegals in Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $63,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.28% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $65,787.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Stevens has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Stevens, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,616 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,233 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,563
2025 BLS Actual
$61,459
2026 Current Est.
$63,616
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,563 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,716 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,951 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,853 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,583 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,712 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,459 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,849 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Stevens metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $50,563 (2019) to $61,459 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,849 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,286 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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) | $48,944 – $53,107 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,107 – $63,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,616 – $78,454 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,454 – $96,961 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Lake Stevens
As of 2026, Lake Stevens has a modest employment base with only nine paralegals currently in the local market. The cost of living index is at 107.4, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which can affect the purchasing power of local salaries. Among various employers, law firms, especially those classified as BigLaw, often provide the highest salaries, albeit in demanding environments. In comparison, corporate in-house positions tend to offer a more balanced lifestyle at steadier pay. The pay disparity among paralegals is driven by factors such as firm classification, legal specialty, relevant certifications, and the potential for bilingual candidates to command higher salaries. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing certifications like NALA CP or NFPA RP and gaining expertise in high-demand areas such as e-discovery is advised. This proactive approach may yield better opportunities and financial rewards in the evolving landscape of paralegal work in Lake Stevens, WA.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, 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 $61,459 for paralegalsin the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens 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