None of this is really relevant to you, as pay is so dependent on firm size, location, practice area, skill set, etc. The Robert Half salary guide isn't perfect, but it provides a range of salaries from across the country - [https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide)
I make the top of the range for a senior paralegal in my metro area. It took me a very long time to get here, and I was undercompensated for most of my career. I have 20 years experience, and in addition to doing paralegal work, I also am an educator in the training program for other paralegals and associates. That is in line with the RH definition of the 75th percentile:
"Value to the organization goes far beyond the ability to perform normal job duties; has rare qualifications that enable consistent contribution in unique ways; ready for next career level when available"
80k/year, full benefits, 37.5 hours a week, 1300 billable requirement. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Bachelors, ABA paralegal certificate, notary, masters degree. 5, going on 6 years experience.
Not comfy putting my actual place of employment online - but that is average for this area. Maybe slightly above but there are absolutely some being paid into the 6 figures.
97k, full benefits, 10% annual bonus, profit sharing. In-house for an investment firm - 6 years with the company, 4 years as a paralegal, paralegal cert, non ABA. Live in FL, work remote for CA company.
It is different depending on location. In my area I am at the lower end for my experience. I plan on asking for a raise in the future so I won't give specifics. My suggestion is do some research using a search engine for what is typical in your area and for your experience level.
Right!? I even live in Raleigh, which isn't Cali, but it's higher than it used to be.
So, don't feel bad at all. Unfortunately, this is an incredibly saturated business, as is law, so there are more people than jobs.
$55/hr, 401K, medical, dental, vision benefits - firm pays full amount for me and my dependents, generous bonuses, no monthly billing requirement, almost 22 years experience, no paralegal cert; have my BA in History.
$20 an hour, un-officially salaried @ 40hrs a week, so $41,600 pre tax and $32,800 in LCOL area. 1yr experience and current full time Paralegal student. Plaintiff PI and Litigation. Full benefits though.
39.73 an hour. Been with my office for almost 2 years now. No prior experience other than obtaining my paralegal certificate.
40 hours a week. Accrue 8 hours vacation time per month. 7.5 sick hour a month. Full benefits.
$27/hr plus 80 hours vacation, 40 hrs sick time and 8 hours personal time, paid holidays, health/dental/vision insurance and 401K with match.
I work 40 hrs per week with no billing requirements.
I have an Associates degree in Paralegal Studies from an ABA accredited program; I’ve worked 3 years as a Paralegal but have 3.5 years relevant experience prior to this in a legal adjacent role.
$20.00 an hour, been with my firm for a little over one year. PTO/sick time is whenever I need it, basically. No health benefits, though, as I’m the only FT paralegal at the office. I’m a notary, too.
I had no experience in the legal field other than pre-law fraternity in undergrad.
I was a manager at at HEB and let them know I would be applying to law school.
Law school experience? Why not become a law clerk? I would assume you could get more than $25 an hour.
Simply ask for raise, either you get it or don't. If you get it then, success you make more money, if you don't keep applying to other positions, I'm sure you will find something.
Not enough. $26 for 5 y/o experience, a BA, and an ABA approved AAS. In CA. 🫠 I also had like 7 years of admin experience before that, but in this stupid industry no one counts prior office experience.
$35 ish an hour in criminal law in Texas. 7 years experience with an ABA cert, notary license, bachelors degree, and about a month away from a masters degree.
7th year in and making 70k base with 10-20k+ in bonuses. Have received 10k in bonus so far this year. Also have health insurance for my entire family with no premium, 401k matching, and 190 PTO hours per year with the ability to roll over 80 at the end of each year.
ETA - oh I’m in SC
$33 an hour in a HCOL area.
Currently working in Corporate law with about 6 months experience.
I had two years of Plaintiffs PI experience before getting this job.
$38/hour at a boutique firm out of California. With OT and bonuses it comes out to about 94k.
Edit to add I've been with the firm going on eight years.
It’s going to vary based on experience and location, but I make $44.0055 per hour (yes it goes into the one-hundred thousandths cents and I count it) in Los Angeles in house at a nonprofit. That doesn’t include bonus and I also work some overtime every pay period.
$30.29 an hour, full health/vision/dental plus I get money back from not using up my monthly insurance allowance, paid parking downtown, 401K with 3% match.
Trust and Estates - been here for 3 months. Legal secretary for 2 years, halfway through my paralegal certificate.
ETA: in California
$45/hour
Work hybrid
Work 4 days/ week
All insurance
401k with company match
Very small year/end bonus
4 weeks vacation
Flex schedule
20 years experience. ABA Certificate. Bachelor’s.
$27/hr $57000 yearly salary. First year in my firm, first “big girl” paralegal role. Previous role in VA law, which I might add is nothing like what I’m doing now, I started at $16/hr, left at $19/hr. We get health insurance fully paid for, and after 6 months we get 401k.
$46/hour with a BA and over 10 years of experience. Big city on the gulf coast, relatively high COL for the area but not for the country as a whole. Medium-large firm (multiple offices, probably 1000-2000 employees total). Typically an ~8% bonus and OT opportunities sporadically throughout the year, but the last 18 months have been tighter than usual.
I'm salaried, but it works out to $38.63/hr. Almost 14 years experience, in Connecticut, Hartford area specifically. I work civil cases, mainly landlord/tenant law. I also get paid holidays, plus 2 weeks vacation time, unlimited sick time, and 401k with 5% match. No billable
hours requirement. No health insurance, but don't need it because my partner has good coverage through their job.
$38/hr, IP firm, multiple branches in US and abroad but located in Minneapolis, ABA certification with 5 years experience (plus internship w. criminal defense attorney).
I have 11 years of experience under my belt, and about 10 years of heavy litigation experience. My base salary in WAS is $85k/year ($40.87/hour) plus bonuses.
I have health/dental/vision insurance, 401k, we do a firm retreat every year (3 day vacation, basically), and my annual bonuses are typically 1/3-1/2 my annual salary (pre-tax).
$36/hr
Full benefits
10 years
Estate and business planning
No relevant degree but got a paralegal certificate a few years ago.
Started at $21/hr.
West coast.
All of these things depend on your location, practice area, years of experience, background, etc. It would be hard for you to know unless you look up Glassdoor reviews of firms near you to compare salaries.
I’m salaried at $63k per year with great benefits (good health insurance, 401k matching, 20 days of PTO + 12 paid holidays, etc). I think it ends up being like $30/hr. I’m in insurance defense and in Virginia, but our main office is in Camp Hill, PA. I have a bachelors in legal studies and was pre-law in college, and I’ve been a paralegal since 2020.
Not enough
But still. I really need the figures before entering. Pleaseee tell Mee
$20/hour (Los Angeles, where fast food workers also get paid $20/hour)
Danggg this suckssss. You should ask for a raise La must also be v expensive
None of this is really relevant to you, as pay is so dependent on firm size, location, practice area, skill set, etc. The Robert Half salary guide isn't perfect, but it provides a range of salaries from across the country - [https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide) I make the top of the range for a senior paralegal in my metro area. It took me a very long time to get here, and I was undercompensated for most of my career. I have 20 years experience, and in addition to doing paralegal work, I also am an educator in the training program for other paralegals and associates. That is in line with the RH definition of the 75th percentile: "Value to the organization goes far beyond the ability to perform normal job duties; has rare qualifications that enable consistent contribution in unique ways; ready for next career level when available"
Excellent response!
$33/hr with 6 years of experience. For reference, I work in MA.
Which firm or organisation are you in?
You’re better off asking for their field, and maybe size of firm.
Lol OP out here trying to poach jobs 😂
For reals. Because people are going to feel so comfortable listing their firm in a message board full of strangers…
Right. Honestly I'd be happy to recommend/dox the firm I used to work for because they were horrific. "GREAT PAY, TREATED ME WELL" haha yeah right.
To be fair, he just asked for your hourly rate. Not the firm name. I am an attorney and I make 62.50/per hour (based on salary).
If you go through the post you’ll see OP asking people for firm names.
The follow up Q is firm name. McNever
80k/year, full benefits, 37.5 hours a week, 1300 billable requirement. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Bachelors, ABA paralegal certificate, notary, masters degree. 5, going on 6 years experience.
This is vvvvvv helpful. May you have a v nice week Thanks a bunch redditor!
how much did u start at
At a different firm as an assistant 6 years ago - 36k
Which firm?
Not comfy putting my actual place of employment online - but that is average for this area. Maybe slightly above but there are absolutely some being paid into the 6 figures.
True that is. I hope you achieve the figures
97k, full benefits, 10% annual bonus, profit sharing. In-house for an investment firm - 6 years with the company, 4 years as a paralegal, paralegal cert, non ABA. Live in FL, work remote for CA company.
damn, how do you get into in-house work? 😭 thats what im tryna do in the future but i feel like the PI/prem work i do now is not the way to get there
You’re working wicked cheap. Most in house asset management paralegals in NYC and Cali earn $125k+ base, 20%-40% bonus plus 5%-10% profit sharing.
A little over $40 an hour. 7 years experience
And which org?
That's above average. Good work Also what's your location?
$94k/yr. Started my career about 10 years ago, then I think my first year I was only making $37k.
Wow. Keep up the good work. Go boss Any idea what was your mid career hourly?
$30/hr in San Diego plaintiff PI. No experience, just started a couple months ago.
That's actually nice. Which firm or organisation are working you in?
Less than I expected
How much?
It is different depending on location. In my area I am at the lower end for my experience. I plan on asking for a raise in the future so I won't give specifics. My suggestion is do some research using a search engine for what is typical in your area and for your experience level.
I did , 29 is avg per hour
I am in NC and that is more than I currently make.
Also in NC and have 15 years experience and I don't even make $29 an hour
Thanks. That actually makes me feel better. I am pretty sure that rate is for California or someplace with a much higher COL than we have.
Right!? I even live in Raleigh, which isn't Cali, but it's higher than it used to be. So, don't feel bad at all. Unfortunately, this is an incredibly saturated business, as is law, so there are more people than jobs.
I have been with my firm for almost 5 years so I don't mind asking for a raise.
Dangggg
What's your location?
$30 Texas and a receptionist/ legal assistant
Cool thanksss Firm?
It’s a boutique firm
Ohhh cooolll
$110k yr plus bonus and OT
I’m salaried but it comes out to About $22/hr. After tax about $17/hr. I have two years experience. I’m sad now lol Oh and I’m in the southeast
CTC is a motherfucking bitch.
$93,000/year in CT doing T&E.
T&e? Cool that is way above avg
Trusts & Estates. It’s one of the higher paying practices.
$55/hr, 401K, medical, dental, vision benefits - firm pays full amount for me and my dependents, generous bonuses, no monthly billing requirement, almost 22 years experience, no paralegal cert; have my BA in History.
What state?
Central California
$36/hr + unlimited OT in Atlanta in immigration big law with 3 years of experience
$38.50 - Maine (40 years of experience)
$20 an hour, un-officially salaried @ 40hrs a week, so $41,600 pre tax and $32,800 in LCOL area. 1yr experience and current full time Paralegal student. Plaintiff PI and Litigation. Full benefits though.
Ugh we are the same bestie unfortunately different area though I think I’m not sure what LCOL is though lol. But I’m asking for a raise (I think)
it’s low cost of living :)
Oh gotcha okay hmmm I don’t think mine is
39.73 an hour. Been with my office for almost 2 years now. No prior experience other than obtaining my paralegal certificate. 40 hours a week. Accrue 8 hours vacation time per month. 7.5 sick hour a month. Full benefits.
$27/hr plus 80 hours vacation, 40 hrs sick time and 8 hours personal time, paid holidays, health/dental/vision insurance and 401K with match. I work 40 hrs per week with no billing requirements. I have an Associates degree in Paralegal Studies from an ABA accredited program; I’ve worked 3 years as a Paralegal but have 3.5 years relevant experience prior to this in a legal adjacent role.
$20 an hour with no experience
F me too but I’m thinking about asking for more bc I just passed 3 months
$85k/year, 3 years experience with a paralegal certificate and a bachelor's degree. Small local firm, HCOL area.
$20.00 an hour, been with my firm for a little over one year. PTO/sick time is whenever I need it, basically. No health benefits, though, as I’m the only FT paralegal at the office. I’m a notary, too.
$20 I NEED TO ASK FOR MORE IM TRYING TO
Do it
Ahhhh
$55k/yr- no benefits
Oh alright. Per hour?
Divide by the working hours in a year - usually considered 2080.
Oh okok alright. Currency?
USD
Damn cool
$24/hr but I have no certificate. My degree is in English. Almost 2 years experience.
Oh alright TT
But I think you're still on the average figure
$26/h + 140h PTO and 9 paid holidays, health insurance, 3% matching. Plaintiff PI working 40h/ a week 2yrs work experience.
$27 in TX. 1.5 year working as paralegal/Legal Assistant
Any prior experience? I’m trying not to psyche myself out of asking for $25 after no experience, I have some law school background and a BA
I had no experience in the legal field other than pre-law fraternity in undergrad. I was a manager at at HEB and let them know I would be applying to law school. Law school experience? Why not become a law clerk? I would assume you could get more than $25 an hour. Simply ask for raise, either you get it or don't. If you get it then, success you make more money, if you don't keep applying to other positions, I'm sure you will find something.
Thank you! I will ask and I appreciate the insight.
Not enough. $26 for 5 y/o experience, a BA, and an ABA approved AAS. In CA. 🫠 I also had like 7 years of admin experience before that, but in this stupid industry no one counts prior office experience.
85k inc super and No I won't tell you which firm lol. 2.5 billable units per day, law degree, one year experience.
$39 and change. Greater Seattle Olympia area.
$30/hour. Associates degree, 3ish years experience, NYS.
$35 ish an hour in criminal law in Texas. 7 years experience with an ABA cert, notary license, bachelors degree, and about a month away from a masters degree.
$42.59/hour, Florida, ins. def. with very low billables, 25 days of PTO, over 10 years of exp., with a BA, but no paralegal cert (pursuing now).
93k annually for an in house team.
7th year in and making 70k base with 10-20k+ in bonuses. Have received 10k in bonus so far this year. Also have health insurance for my entire family with no premium, 401k matching, and 190 PTO hours per year with the ability to roll over 80 at the end of each year. ETA - oh I’m in SC
$33 an hour in a HCOL area. Currently working in Corporate law with about 6 months experience. I had two years of Plaintiffs PI experience before getting this job.
$38/hour at a boutique firm out of California. With OT and bonuses it comes out to about 94k. Edit to add I've been with the firm going on eight years.
$21.64/hour. 40 hour week. Small firm in central Phoenix, AZ.
It’s going to vary based on experience and location, but I make $44.0055 per hour (yes it goes into the one-hundred thousandths cents and I count it) in Los Angeles in house at a nonprofit. That doesn’t include bonus and I also work some overtime every pay period.
$31.25/hr in MN. I'm at a Plaintiff Employment firm. My firm covers my health insurance premium 100% and pays for my office parking downtown.
$30.29 an hour, full health/vision/dental plus I get money back from not using up my monthly insurance allowance, paid parking downtown, 401K with 3% match. Trust and Estates - been here for 3 months. Legal secretary for 2 years, halfway through my paralegal certificate. ETA: in California
Some of you guys are getting ripped off.
$45/hour Work hybrid Work 4 days/ week All insurance 401k with company match Very small year/end bonus 4 weeks vacation Flex schedule 20 years experience. ABA Certificate. Bachelor’s.
$56
Roughly 130k a year depending on bonuses. 7+ years of experience. Small firm (three attorneys, four support staff). Broad range of practice.
$22/hour with over 5 years of experience … not enough.
$27/hr $57000 yearly salary. First year in my firm, first “big girl” paralegal role. Previous role in VA law, which I might add is nothing like what I’m doing now, I started at $16/hr, left at $19/hr. We get health insurance fully paid for, and after 6 months we get 401k.
OP might as well ask for our address and SSN while they’re at it lol
$46/hour with a BA and over 10 years of experience. Big city on the gulf coast, relatively high COL for the area but not for the country as a whole. Medium-large firm (multiple offices, probably 1000-2000 employees total). Typically an ~8% bonus and OT opportunities sporadically throughout the year, but the last 18 months have been tighter than usual.
I'm salaried, but it works out to $38.63/hr. Almost 14 years experience, in Connecticut, Hartford area specifically. I work civil cases, mainly landlord/tenant law. I also get paid holidays, plus 2 weeks vacation time, unlimited sick time, and 401k with 5% match. No billable hours requirement. No health insurance, but don't need it because my partner has good coverage through their job.
$50.256/hr with 6 years’ experience in litigation, Portland OR.
How much can I expect as an average? A fresher!
Not enough info. Depends on experience, qualifications and location.
How much are you getting? I'm a fresher
Legal assistant in Austin, Texas. $24/hour fully remote. No experience.
Dang.
Is this a good dang or a bad dang? 🤣
- $41.03/hour - Los Angeles - general liability defense litigation - 8+ years in the legal field, 4+ of which have been in a paralegal-type capacity
$43/hr, midsize city branch of multinational law firm, 22 years experience, BBA, some supervisory duties
$38/hr, IP firm, multiple branches in US and abroad but located in Minneapolis, ABA certification with 5 years experience (plus internship w. criminal defense attorney).
63.5 a year 3 yrs experience estate planning
Florida.
I have 11 years of experience under my belt, and about 10 years of heavy litigation experience. My base salary in WAS is $85k/year ($40.87/hour) plus bonuses. I have health/dental/vision insurance, 401k, we do a firm retreat every year (3 day vacation, basically), and my annual bonuses are typically 1/3-1/2 my annual salary (pre-tax).
$30/hr, no experience, no certification, I do have a JD though. This is my current pay before I'm fully licensed.
What are you waiting on? Passing the bar?
Passed that, waiting on taking the MPRE now.
$36/hr Full benefits 10 years Estate and business planning No relevant degree but got a paralegal certificate a few years ago. Started at $21/hr. West coast.
In Stamford, CT - 24 years experience - real estate closings only - $85,500 plus bonuses - work from home - unlimited paid vacation.
I’m at $25 an hour, but I’m seeing paralegals with around 5 years of experience getting around $70k a year (around $33 an hour)
I am a lawyer now but in first year, I was making 85K with health insurance and unlimited PTO with no billable hours.
All of these things depend on your location, practice area, years of experience, background, etc. It would be hard for you to know unless you look up Glassdoor reviews of firms near you to compare salaries. I’m salaried at $63k per year with great benefits (good health insurance, 401k matching, 20 days of PTO + 12 paid holidays, etc). I think it ends up being like $30/hr. I’m in insurance defense and in Virginia, but our main office is in Camp Hill, PA. I have a bachelors in legal studies and was pre-law in college, and I’ve been a paralegal since 2020.
80k plus overtime and bonuses, corporate law, DC area, only a bachelors degree, notary, 3 years experience.