Paralegal Hourly Pay in Eau Claire, WI: $24.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Eau Claire, WI runs $24.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,772 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Eau Claire's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,461 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For paralegals working in Eau Claire, WI, the median hourly pay is projected to be $24.41 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. This difference may influence the decisions of part-time or per-diem paralegals, as those working in areas such as law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices typically have varying roles accommodating both full-time and flexible schedules. With an hourly range spanning from $22.60 for entry-level positions to $32.76 for top earners, paralegal positions in Eau Claire provide opportunities for professionals to find a fitting balance between compensation and work-life stability in often open office environments or remote settings.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.60 | $180.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.81 | $182.51 |
| Median (P50) | $24.41 | $195.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.63 | $237.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.76 | $262.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Eau Claire
Based on $24.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.41/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Eau Claire, WI can expect to earn approximately $50,768 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,289. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Eau Claire.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Eau Claire
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $976.31 | $4,231 | $50,768 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $585.78 | $2,538 | $30,461 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $390.52 | $1,692 | $20,307 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Eau Claire) | $24.41 |
| 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 Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $50,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.01% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $53,332.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.41/hr = $30,461/year (purchasing power: $32,826).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,768/year (purchasing power: $54,709).
CoL index: 92.796 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Eau Claire grew 37.9% from $17.10/hr (2019) to $23.58/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.26/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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire
Considering the financial implications of part-time work, a paralegal in Eau Claire who commits to a three-day workweek (24 hours total) can expect to earn approximately $28,438 annually before taxes, which represents a stark contrast to full-time earnings. Per-diem paralegal compensation can range widely, with contract professionals typically billing anywhere from $25 to $50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery paralegals may command rates as high as $60. The hourly rates can differ based on employer types, with larger law firms often offering higher compensation than smaller boutique operations or public legal offices. Some individuals prioritize benefits like health insurance, which may tempt them to accept lower hourly rates. To maximize earning potential, negotiation strategies for hourly workers should involve highlighting relevant experience, specialized skills like e-discovery, and demonstrating market demand to secure better pay within Eau Claire's job market.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
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 Eau Claire. 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