Paralegal Hourly Pay in Troy, NY: $30.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Troy, NY runs $30.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,053 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Troy's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,431 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The paralegal hourly pay in Troy, NY, stands at a median of $30.79, slightly below the national median of $31.30. This rate reflects a range where entry-level positions may earn around $21.77 per hour, while experienced professionals can make up to $47.73. Such hourly earnings are significant for both part-time workers, commonly clocking in about 24 hours a week, and per-diem paralegals who offer their services on an as-needed basis. In practice, these workers find themselves in diverse environments, from the structured cubicles of law firms to collaborative spaces in corporate legal departments, and even in remote roles focusing on e-discovery processes. The hourly pay structure allows for flexibility, catering to those who may choose to balance other commitments alongside their legal careers.
About the Troy Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.77 | $174.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.31 | $194.52 |
| Median (P50) | $30.79 | $246.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.40 | $315.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.73 | $381.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Troy
Based on $30.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.79/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Troy, NY can expect to earn approximately $64,052 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,953. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Troy.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Troy
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,231.77 | $5,338 | $64,052 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $739.06 | $3,203 | $38,431 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.71 | $2,135 | $25,621 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Troy) | $30.79 |
| 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 Troy, NY earn a median of $64,053 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.60% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.40% above the New York state average of $62,552.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.79/hr = $38,431/year (purchasing power: $33,159).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,052/year (purchasing power: $55,265).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Troy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Troy grew 21.6% from $24.48/hr (2019) to $29.75/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.88/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 Troy 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 Troy
Considering earning potential, a paralegal working three days a week could generate a respectable income, but it remains less than that of a full-time counterpart. For instance, the part-time paralegal working 24 hours weekly would take home significantly less than someone working full-time hours at a higher hourly rate. The landscape of per diem paralegal pay in Troy varies widely; while contract paralegals might see rates between $25 and $50 an hour, those specializing in e-discovery could earn anywhere from $30 to $60 per hour depending on their expertise. Factors like employer type influence pay rates too; law firms, especially larger ones, tend to offer more competitive pay compared to smaller firms or government entities. Paralegals should consider the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and the stability that comes with full-time positions that include health insurance. For those negotiating their pay, it's beneficial to highlight specific skills or certifications in areas such as e-discovery, as these can command higher pay rates in Troy’s evolving legal market.
More salary data for Troy, 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 Troy. 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 Troy 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