Paralegal Hourly Pay in Wentzville, MO: $23.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Wentzville, MO runs $23.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,658 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Wentzville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,195 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wentzville, Missouri, the projected median paralegal hourly rate for 2026 is $23.39, which falls significantly below the national average of $31.30. This discrepancy impacts part-time and per-diem paralegal positions in various legal settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. For example, a paralegal working a typical part-time schedule of three days a week, or around 24 hours, could expect to earn approximately $561 weekly. The hourly wage range for paralegals in Wentzville extends from $17.56 at the entry level to $36.26 for top earners, reflecting the varying experience levels within this profession. Additionally, these hourly rates are estimates derived from projected annual salary figures, which are crucial for employers considering budgetary constraints when hiring.
About the Wentzville Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.56 | $140.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.61 | $148.89 |
| Median (P50) | $23.39 | $187.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.33 | $234.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.26 | $290.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wentzville
Based on $23.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.39/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wentzville, MO can expect to earn approximately $48,658 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,072. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wentzville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wentzville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $935.73 | $4,055 | $48,658 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $561.44 | $2,433 | $29,195 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.29 | $1,622 | $19,463 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Wentzville) | $23.39 |
| 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 Wentzville, MO earn a median of $48,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.25% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.60% below the Missouri state average of $51,004.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.39/hr = $29,195/year (purchasing power: $32,583).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,658/year (purchasing power: $54,306).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Wentzville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Wentzville grew 21.6% from $18.59/hr (2019) to $22.60/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.21/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 Wentzville 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 Wentzville
Investigating part-time earning potential reveals that a paralegal working 24 hours a week would bring home an annual income of about $29,208, quite modest compared to what full-time positions may yield. On the other hand, per-diem paralegal pay in Wentzville can vary significantly based on the specific contract or agency work. Contract paralegals might bill rates ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, while e-discovery specialists and freelance paralegals can see rates as high as $60 or $75 per hour, particularly in corporate settings or during litigation. Employer types greatly influence hourly compensation, with larger law firms typically offering higher wages, albeit often accompanied by heavier workloads. In contrast, smaller firms may compensate less but offer greater job security and benefits. It's advisable for paralegals to weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates with no benefits versus more stable employment with health insurance. Negotiating pay can be beneficial—showcasing specialized skills or certifications, such as in e-discovery, can significantly enhance bargaining power.
More salary data for Wentzville, 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 Wentzville. 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 Wentzville 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