Paralegal Salary in Moses Lake, WA: $63,453 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Moses Lake, WA earns a median $63,453/year (≈ $30.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Moses Lake's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $59,081 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Moses Lake, Washington, paralegals are projected to earn a median annual salary of $63,453 in 2026, which reflects a moderate gap compared to the national median of $65,097. The local salary range spans from $48,751 at the lower 10th percentile to $98,352 for those in the 90th percentile, indicating varied earning potential based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living factors. Within the local job market, the e-discovery specialty, particularly those proficient in software like Relativity, tends to command higher paralegal pay in Moses Lake WA, underscoring the value of specialized skills in this evolving field.
About the Moses Lake Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,751 | $23.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,773 | $25.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,453 | $30.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,352 | $47.28 |
Median Salary Position
2.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moses Lake
In Moses Lake, WA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,601 (2026 est.). At $63,453, the local median is 2.53% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moses Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moses Lake Paralegal Pay Compares
Moses Lake median: $63,453/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moses Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $65,754 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -2.53% less |
Paralegals in Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $63,453 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.53% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $65,754.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moses Lake has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moses Lake, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,453 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,081 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,433
2025 BLS Actual
$61,301
2026 Current Est.
$63,453
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,433 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,583 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,809 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,704 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,525 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,301 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,453 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,680 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moses Lake metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $50,433 (2019) to $61,301 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,680 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,247 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moses Lake 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) | $48,751 – $52,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,773 – $63,453 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,453 – $80,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,490 – $98,352 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Moses Lake
The job market for paralegals in Moses Lake is relatively compact, with only four paralegals currently employed in the area. While the local cost-of-living index stands at 107.4, indicating a slightly higher expense of living compared to the national average, potential paralegals still need to consider how this impacts their purchasing power. Employers that typically pay the most include mid-size law firms and corporate legal departments, with e-discovery roles seeing substantial premiums. Factors influencing the pay range include firm size, subject expertise, and certifications such as those offered by NALA or NFPA. For those seeking to maximize earnings, pursuing certifications, gaining experience in high-demand areas, and exploring in-house opportunities could prove advantageous in enhancing paralegal pay in Moses Lake.
More salary data for Moses Lake, 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 $61,301 for paralegalsin the Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake 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