Paralegal Hourly Pay in Philadelphia, PA: $35.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Philadelphia, PA runs $35.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,902 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Philadelphia's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,741 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, the projected paralegal hourly pay for 2026 is $35.05, which notably exceeds the national hourly median of $31.30. This higher local rate allows part-time paralegals, who typically work three days a week, to earn a competitive income while enjoying a flexible schedule. Individuals taking on per-diem roles in various settings, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or remote e-discovery reviews, can anticipate pay rates that range widely. The hourly earnings fluctuate from $24.37 for entry-level positions to as high as $48.74 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting the diverse nature of employer settings and the varying responsibilities within this legal support profession. This data is officially sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' estimates based on 2025 figures, projected to 2026.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.37 | $194.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.91 | $239.32 |
| Median (P50) | $35.05 | $280.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.64 | $325.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.74 | $389.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Philadelphia
Based on $35.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.05/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Philadelphia, PA can expect to earn approximately $72,901 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,058. With a cost-of-living index of 102.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Philadelphia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Philadelphia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,401.94 | $6,075 | $72,901 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $841.16 | $3,645 | $43,741 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $560.78 | $2,430 | $29,160 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Philadelphia) | $35.05 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $72,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.99% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 20.20% above the Pennsylvania state average of $60,651.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.05/hr = $43,741/year (purchasing power: $42,651).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,901/year (purchasing power: $71,085).
CoL index: 102.554 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Philadelphia grew 26.1% from $26.86/hr (2019) to $33.86/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.28/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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
For those considering part-time opportunities, a paralegal working 24 hours per week can expect to bring home around $43,809 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts. In the realm of per-diem work, contract paralegals in Philadelphia often face variable rates that can reach up to $90 per hour for trial preparation roles. E-discovery specialists command competitive fees as well, generally earning between $30 to $60 per hour based on their expertise. Hourly rates tend to vary significantly depending on the employer type; while large law firms might offer premium rates, in-house corporate positions usually balance decent pay with benefits. Freelance paralegals can also negotiate their rates, with higher pay sometimes outside of the benefits structure. Paralegals should consider these factors when negotiating their hourly rates, especially in a city like Philadelphia where the market demonstrates a 3.51% growth rate that speaks to the evolving demand within the profession.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
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 Philadelphia. 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