Paralegal Hourly Pay in Jefferson City, MO: $23.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Jefferson City, MO runs $23.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,519 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Jefferson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,712 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median paralegal hourly pay in Jefferson City, Missouri, is projected to be $23.81, which falls significantly below the national median of $31.30. This salary indicates a fairly moderate compensation level for paralegals working in various environments such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, or accepting per-diem roles, this hourly rate provides a stable income, although typically less than what may be available in larger urban markets. New entrants to the profession may start at the lower end of the pay spectrum, earning around $19.57, while more experienced professionals can command up to $32.41 per hour. These figures are drawn from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and reflect the current job market conditions in Jefferson City.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.57 | $156.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.55 | $164.37 |
| Median (P50) | $23.81 | $190.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.47 | $235.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.41 | $259.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jefferson City
Based on $23.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.81/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jefferson City, MO can expect to earn approximately $49,519 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,569. With a cost-of-living index of 87.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jefferson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jefferson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $952.29 | $4,127 | $49,519 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $571.38 | $2,476 | $29,712 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $380.92 | $1,651 | $19,808 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Jefferson City) | $23.81 |
| 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 Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $49,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.93% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.00% below the Missouri state average of $51,051.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.81/hr = $29,712/year (purchasing power: $33,773).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,519/year (purchasing power: $56,288).
CoL index: 87.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Jefferson City grew 12.0% from $20.54/hr (2019) to $23.00/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.64/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 Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City
The earning potential for part-time paralegals in Jefferson City can be quite different from their full-time counterparts. Working 24 hours a week, a paralegal's annual earnings would amount to approximately $29,739, considerably lower than what a typical full-time position might provide. Meanwhile, per diem or contract paralegals can find lucrative opportunities, often billing between $25 to $50 per hour; specialists involved in e-discovery typically earn between $30 and $60 per hour due to their advanced skill sets. Factors also play a significant role in overall compensation, with employees at larger law firms generally earning higher hourly rates compared to those in smaller practices or government positions. However, some paralegals might opt for lower pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. When negotiating pay, be sure to communicate your experience effectively and consider discussing the potential for further development and specialization within the field, especially in high-demand areas like e-discovery.
More salary data for Jefferson City, MO:
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 Jefferson City. 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