Paralegal Hourly Pay in Paragould, AR: $26.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Paragould, AR runs $26.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,261 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Paragould's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,161 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Paragould, Arkansas, the projected median paralegal hourly pay is $26.57 in 2026, which is considerably lower than the national median of $31.30. This translates into a substantial gap that reflects the regional job market dynamics. For part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, this hourly wage can yield a steady income, allowing for flexibility in both work and personal life. Per-diem opportunities also exist in various legal settings, from law firms and corporate legal departments to government offices and real estate title companies. Entry-level paralegals may start at an hourly rate of around $18.80, while specialized positions or those capitalizing on experience might earn up to $41.18. These estimates are derived from the annual salary framework but provide a useful insight into the compensation landscape for paralegals in Paragould, AR.
About the Paragould Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.80 | $150.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.91 | $175.30 |
| Median (P50) | $26.57 | $212.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.00 | $272.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.18 | $329.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Paragould
Based on $26.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.57/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Paragould, AR can expect to earn approximately $55,268 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,885. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Paragould.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Paragould
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,062.84 | $4,606 | $55,268 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $637.70 | $2,763 | $33,161 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $425.14 | $1,842 | $22,107 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Paragould) | $26.57 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Paragould, AR earn a median of $55,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.30% below the Arkansas state average of $56,562.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.57/hr = $33,161/year (purchasing power: $38,160).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,268/year (purchasing power: $63,599).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Paragould (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Paragould grew 21.6% from $21.12/hr (2019) to $25.67/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.50/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paragould 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.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Paragould
Job characteristics and employer types significantly influence hourly rates for paralegals in the area. Those taking on part-time roles—working 24 hours a week—could anticipate earning a modest income compared to full-time counterparts, potentially limiting annual earnings. Contract opportunities, often paying hourly rates ranging from $25 to $90 depending on expertise and client type, can also provide lucrative options for those willing to navigate freelance and agency work. Law firms—whether large or small—tend to offer a variety of pay structures, encouraging paralegals to balance the hourly rates against benefits like health insurance, which many larger firms provide. Hence, those working in-house at corporations often enjoy more predictable hours and compensation, albeit sometimes at lower hourly rates. For effective negotiations, it’s essential to communicate value and specialization, especially in fields like e-discovery, where specialized skills are in high demand and can result in a significant pay increase.
More salary data for Paragould, AR:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Paragould. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Paragould 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