Paralegal Hourly Pay in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $28.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Wilkes-Barre, PA runs $28.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,661 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Wilkes-Barre's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,796 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $28.68 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $31.30. This hourly rate influences the job prospects for part-time and per-diem paralegals working in various legal environments, including law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, and government offices. For instance, a paralegal working three days a week might earn just under $29,000 annually, significantly aiding independent workers or those seeking flexible arrangements. The hourly range for paralegals spans from $20.53 for entry-level positions to $44.46 for highly experienced professionals or those in specialized roles such as e-discovery.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.53 | $164.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.80 | $182.43 |
| Median (P50) | $28.68 | $229.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.97 | $287.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.46 | $355.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilkes-Barre
Based on $28.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.68/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilkes-Barre, PA can expect to earn approximately $59,660 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,419. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilkes-Barre.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilkes-Barre
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,147.30 | $4,972 | $59,660 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.38 | $2,983 | $35,796 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.92 | $1,989 | $23,864 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Wilkes-Barre) | $28.68 |
| 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $59,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.35% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $60,631.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.68/hr = $35,796/year (purchasing power: $36,751).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,660/year (purchasing power: $61,252).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Wilkes-Barre grew 21.6% from $22.80/hr (2019) to $27.71/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.69/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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre
Evaluating part-time employment, a 24-hour workweek presents a different earning scenario compared to full-time work. A paralegal engaged in contract roles might find themselves billing anywhere from $25 to $75 per hour, depending on their specialization and the nature of the work. Contract paralegals working on trial preparations often command rates of $50-$90/hour, illustrating wage variations across different sectors. Law firms, in particular, may offer lower hourly rates compared to corporate legal departments that often provide better work-life balance alongside health benefits. Paralegals should also consider negotiating terms that might trade off lower hourly rates for comprehensive benefits. Networking within professional associations such as NALA and NFPA can bolster one's negotiating position and uncover hidden opportunities for higher per diem paralegal pay in Wilkes-Barre.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Wilkes-Barre in 2026?
How much do part-time paralegals make in Wilkes-Barre?
Are paralegals in Wilkes-Barre paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Wilkes-Barre?
Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Wilkes-Barre?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Wilkes-Barre. 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 Wilkes-Barre 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