Paralegal Hourly Pay in Wichita, KS: $25.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Wichita, KS runs $25.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,003 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Wichita's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,197 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Wichita, Kansas, presents a competitive landscape for paralegal hourly pay, with the median rate at $25.00 per hour as of 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.30, indicating a significant variance in pay structures across regions. For those considering part-time work—such as a schedule of three days per week—this translates to approximately $1,200 monthly, a figure that appeals to many in the legal field, especially in law firm settings, corporate legal departments, or government offices. The hourly range for paralegals in Wichita varies from $18.81 at the lower end (P10) to $37.21 for the highest earners (P90), reflecting opportunities for professional growth and advancement in various practice environments, including remote e-discovery roles and traditional litigation support.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.81 | $150.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.39 | $187.15 |
| Median (P50) | $25.00 | $199.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.31 | $242.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.21 | $297.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wichita
Based on $25.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.00/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wichita, KS can expect to earn approximately $51,995 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,997. With a cost-of-living index of 88.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wichita.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wichita
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $999.91 | $4,333 | $51,995 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $599.94 | $2,600 | $31,197 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $399.96 | $1,733 | $20,798 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Wichita) | $25.00 |
| 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 Wichita, KS earn a median of $52,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.11% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 12.10% below the Kansas state average of $59,162.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.00/hr = $31,197/year (purchasing power: $35,074).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,995/year (purchasing power: $58,457).
CoL index: 88.946 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Wichita grew 12.0% from $21.57/hr (2019) to $24.15/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.88/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 Wichita 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 Wichita
Exploring the potential of part-time positions, a paralegal working 24 hours a week can anticipate a yearly take-home of about $28,800, which falls short of what full-time paralegals might earn. Nevertheless, per diem options present exciting earning possibilities; contract paralegals often bill between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery professionals can command rates from $30 to $60 per hour. Hourly rates also shift based on employer type—in Wichita, BigLaw firms typically offer salaries that reflect the industry's high demands, while in-house corporate paralegal roles might provide a balanced work-life dynamic alongside benefits. For those that choose higher hourly rates without the safety net of benefits, understanding negotiation tactics becomes critical. Factors such as health insurance versus hourly wage should be weighed carefully, enabling paralegals to advocate effectively for their worth in Wichita's legal market.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 Wichita. 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