Paralegal Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $24.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Athens, GA runs $24.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,554 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,332 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $24.30 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This discrepancy may affect part-time and per-diem paralegals, particularly those working in law firms, corporate environments, or government offices. A paralegal working three days a week typically earns around $27,626 annually, which can be a consideration for professionals balancing work and education. The hourly range spans from $18.69 for entry-level positions to as high as $38.74 for top earners, reflecting the variance in experience, skills, and areas of specialization such as e-discovery and trial preparation. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.69 | $149.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.20 | $185.57 |
| Median (P50) | $24.30 | $194.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.04 | $248.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.74 | $309.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $24.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.30/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $50,553 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,165. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $972.17 | $4,213 | $50,553 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $583.30 | $2,528 | $30,332 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.87 | $1,685 | $20,221 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Athens) | $24.30 |
| 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 Athens, GA earn a median of $50,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.34% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.40% below the Georgia state average of $51,797.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.30/hr = $30,332/year (purchasing power: $32,495).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,553/year (purchasing power: $54,158).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+8.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Athens grew 1.0% from $23.25/hr (2019) to $23.48/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.16/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 Athens 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 Athens
When it comes to part-time opportunities, a paralegal who works a 24-hour week can expect to take home significantly less annually compared to full-time colleagues, yet still enjoy flexibility in their schedule. The reality of per-diem and freelance paralegal work in Athens reveals that contract positions often command higher hourly rates, typically between $25 and $50, with specialized roles in e-discovery ranging from $30 to $60 per hour. Earning potential varies significantly among employer types; while big law firms may offer competitive salaries, in-house corporate paralegals generally enjoy more stable hours and beneficial work-life balance. Some choose lower-paying positions that provide health insurance, weighing benefits against higher hourly gigs without such perks. For those negotiating their hourly rates, it's wise to understand the local market conditions, leverage specific skills, and be prepared to discuss how their expertise aligns with the demands of prospective employers.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
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 Athens. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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