Paralegal Hourly Pay in Morgantown, WV: $30.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Morgantown, WV runs $30.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,011 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Morgantown's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,405 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Morgantown, West Virginia, the paralegal hourly pay reaches a median rate of $30.77, which is slightly below the national median of $31.30. This hourly wage allows for a range of flexible work options, catering to both part-time professionals and those engaged in per-diem positions. For example, a paralegal working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) has the potential to earn a steady income while enjoying a more manageable workload, particularly in law firm environments or corporate legal departments. The hourly rate also spans from $17.77 at the entry level to $53.07 for those at the top end of the pay scale, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in government offices, real estate settings, and remote e-discovery roles. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the competitive nature of paralegal compensation in Morgantown.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.77 | $142.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.94 | $151.54 |
| Median (P50) | $30.77 | $246.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.99 | $311.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.07 | $424.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Morgantown
Based on $30.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.77/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Morgantown, WV can expect to earn approximately $64,009 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,928. With a cost-of-living index of 93.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Morgantown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Morgantown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,230.94 | $5,334 | $64,009 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.56 | $3,200 | $38,405 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.38 | $2,134 | $25,604 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Morgantown) | $30.77 |
| 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 Morgantown, WV earn a median of $64,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.67% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 16.00% above the West Virginia state average of $55,182.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.77/hr = $38,405/year (purchasing power: $41,153).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,009/year (purchasing power: $68,589).
CoL index: 93.323 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Morgantown grew 15.7% from $25.69/hr (2019) to $29.73/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.85/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 Morgantown 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 Morgantown
For paralegals considering part-time employment, the annual income for working 24 hours a week adds up to approximately $38,287, significantly less than what full-time workers take home, but still a feasible option for those seeking flexibility. Meanwhile, per diem paralegal pay in Morgantown varies widely; contract positions often range from $25 to $50 an hour, with specialized e-discovery experts pulling in between $30 and $60 per hour, depending on their experience and the complexity of the work. Freelancing for small businesses may yield even higher rates, ranging from $40 to $75 an hour, especially for trial preparation during active litigation. Hourly rates differ significantly by employer type, with larger law firms being able to offer more competitive pay while smaller firms or government roles may provide stability and benefits, influencing individual decisions. Negotiating hourly pay in Morgantown entails understanding these variances, prioritizing work-life balance, and considering overall job satisfaction versus monetary compensation.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
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 Morgantown. 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