Paralegal Hourly Pay in Blacksburg, VA: $29.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Blacksburg, VA runs $29.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,367 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Blacksburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,222 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Blacksburg, Virginia, the projected median hourly pay for paralegals stands at $29.02, a figure that falls below the national median hourly rate of $31.30. This discrepancy can significantly influence part-time workers, especially those opting for a three-day workweek, who may face tighter budgets compared to their peers nationwide. With an hourly range that spans from $21.27 for entry-level positions to $39.23 for more experienced professionals, paralegals here are typically employed in various environments, including corporate legal departments, law firms, and government support offices. The hourly data provided is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS projections for 2026 and offers insights into the financial dynamics at play for paralegals in this region, which can include flexible per-diem roles as well.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.27 | $170.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.13 | $193.03 |
| Median (P50) | $29.02 | $232.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.35 | $258.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.23 | $313.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Blacksburg
Based on $29.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.02/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Blacksburg, VA can expect to earn approximately $60,370 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,829. With a cost-of-living index of 92.71 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Blacksburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Blacksburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,160.97 | $5,031 | $60,370 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $696.58 | $3,019 | $36,222 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.39 | $2,012 | $24,148 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Blacksburg) | $29.02 |
| 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 Blacksburg, VA earn a median of $60,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.27% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.50% below the Virginia state average of $60,670.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.02/hr = $36,222/year (purchasing power: $39,070).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,370/year (purchasing power: $65,117).
CoL index: 92.71 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Blacksburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Blacksburg grew 14.7% from $24.45/hr (2019) to $28.04/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.04/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 Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg
When examining the earnings potential for part-time paralegals in Blacksburg, it’s clear that those working 24 hours a week could take home around $36,000 annually, which is markedly less than full-time salaries. Additionally, the climate for per-diem paralegal pay can be lucrative, with contract roles often billing between $25-$50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery professionals may command rates as high as $60 per hour. The variety in hourly pay across different employment sectors speaks volumes, as larger law firms may offer higher rates compared to smaller boutique firms or governmental offices. However, some paralegals may choose positions that offer lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, reflecting a trade-off between immediate compensation and long-term security. For those seeking to negotiate their rates, understanding the diverse factors influencing pay in Blacksburg's legal market—including certifications from NALA or NFPA—can enhance their chances of securing fair compensation for their skills.
More salary data for Blacksburg, VA:
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 Blacksburg. 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