Paralegal Hourly Pay in Manhattan, KS: $23.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Manhattan, KS runs $23.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,571 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Manhattan's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,750 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Manhattan, Kansas, the paralegal hourly pay stands at a median of $23.84 per hour, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This financial landscape shapes the experiences of those in the profession, particularly for part-time workers and per diem paralegals who may find employment in various legal settings such as law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, or remote e-discovery review environments. With an hourly range that spans from $18.09 at the entry-level to a peak of $36.49 for top earners, the pay reflects the local market dynamics influenced by factors such as experience, specialization, and employer type. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2026 indicates a growing demand for paralegals, although those in Manhattan may still face challenges in matching national compensation levels.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.09 | $144.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.50 | $156.01 |
| Median (P50) | $23.84 | $190.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.72 | $237.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.49 | $291.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Manhattan
Based on $23.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.84/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Manhattan, KS can expect to earn approximately $49,584 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,606. With a cost-of-living index of 90.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Manhattan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Manhattan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $953.53 | $4,132 | $49,584 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $572.12 | $2,479 | $29,750 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.41 | $1,653 | $19,834 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Manhattan) | $23.84 |
| 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 Manhattan, KS earn a median of $49,571 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.85% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 16.20% below the Kansas state average of $59,154.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.84/hr = $29,750/year (purchasing power: $32,996).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,584/year (purchasing power: $54,994).
CoL index: 90.162 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Manhattan grew 21.6% from $18.95/hr (2019) to $23.03/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.68/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 Manhattan 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 Manhattan
When considering part-time work, a paralegal in Manhattan who takes on a 3-day/week schedule would earn significantly less annually compared to full-time counterparts. A typical workload amounting to 24 hours a week translates to approximately $29,811 within the year, which is not enough for many living in this region. Contractual or freelance paralegals often enjoy a higher hourly rate ranging from $25 to $90 depending on their specialty. For instance, those engaged in e-discovery can command between $30 and $60 per hour, while trial prep or corporate projects can yield even more. The sectors employing paralegals vary widely—from law firms of all sizes to in-house corporate legal departments and government offices, each offering different compensation and benefits packages. Many paralegals opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. For those negotiating rates in Manhattan, highlighting specific skills or certifications, such as e-discovery expertise from organizations like NALA or NFPA, can help in securing a more favorable pay rate.
More salary data for Manhattan, KS:
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 Manhattan. 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, 6-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