Paralegal Hourly Pay in Albany, NY: $30.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Albany, NY runs $30.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,810 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,682 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, New York, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $30.19 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $31.30. For paralegals seeking part-time opportunities, this rate translates to a potential earnings range that can vary significantly based on experience and work arrangement. A part-time paralegal working roughly three days a week might expect to take home approximately $725 weekly, working in settings that include law firms, corporate legal departments, government offices, and remote e-discovery environments. Entry-level positions may fetch around $23.52 per hour, while seasoned paralegals can earn as much as $40.47 per hour. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 and reflects the financial realities faced by those in this profession within Albany.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.52 | $188.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.63 | $197.00 |
| Median (P50) | $30.19 | $241.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.96 | $279.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.47 | $323.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $30.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.19/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, NY can expect to earn approximately $62,803 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,233. With a cost-of-living index of 99.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,207.75 | $5,234 | $62,803 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $724.65 | $3,140 | $37,682 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $483.10 | $2,093 | $25,121 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Albany) | $30.19 |
| 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 Albany, NY earn a median of $62,810 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.51% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.40% above the New York state average of $62,560.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.19/hr = $37,682/year (purchasing power: $37,846).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,803/year (purchasing power: $63,077).
CoL index: 99.566 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Albany grew 9.6% from $26.62/hr (2019) to $29.17/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.25/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 Albany 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 Albany
The earning potential for paralegals in Albany varies based on their work arrangements and the nature of their employment. A part-time paralegal committed to a 24-hour work week would take home about $18,900 annually, which is substantially lower than full-time earnings, but this setup could be appealing for those valuing flexibility. In the realm of per diem, contract, or freelance work, rates can range dramatically. While agency paralegals might bill between $25 to $50 per hour, e-discovery specialists could command $30 to $60, while those engaged in trial preparation may earn between $50 to $90 per hour. The type of employer significantly impacts hourly compensation; for instance, paralegals in BigLaw settings often earn higher rates than those in government positions, but with a heavier workload. When negotiating hourly pay, understanding the market demands and the associated trade-offs of benefits versus higher wages is critical in securing fair compensation.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
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 Albany. 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