Paralegal Salary in Long Beach, CA: $80,507 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Long Beach, CA earns a median $80,507/year (≈ $38.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,182 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Long Beach, California, can anticipate a median annual salary of $80,507, significantly above the national median of $65,097. The local market offers a comprehensive salary range from $52,166 at the lowest percentile to $124,785 at the highest. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, reflecting the unique economic landscape of Long Beach, where e-discovery and legal technology specialties can add even more value to a paralegal's compensation. This specialized knowledge is becoming increasingly sought-after within the legal community, signaling strong demand and opportunities for those looking to excel in this field.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,166 | $25.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,185 | $31.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,507 | $38.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,049 | $49.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,785 | $59.99 |
Median Salary Position
23.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,619 (2026 est.). At $80,507, the local median is 23.67% above the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Paralegal Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $80,507/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $72,074 | +11.70% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | +23.67% more |
Paralegals in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $80,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.67% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 11.70% above the California state average of $72,074.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,507 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,182 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,988
2025 BLS Actual
$77,777
2026 Current Est.
$80,507
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,988 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,447 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,214 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,403 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,936 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,777 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,507 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,333 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $63,988 (2019) to $77,777 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,333 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,345 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,166 – $65,185 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,185 – $80,507 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,507 – $103,049 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,049 – $124,785 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Long Beach
Employment opportunities for paralegals in Long Beach are robust, with approximately 89 professionals currently practicing in the area. However, this city also has a higher cost of living index at 113.1, which affects overall purchasing power. For those eager to maximize their earnings, pursuing positions at larger law firms or in-house legal departments can lead to higher pay. On average, paralegals working in BigLaw firms tend to earn more than their counterparts in smaller practices or governmental positions, although the latter often provide better work-life balance. Specialization in areas like e-discovery can further elevate compensation, as firms seek professionals skilled in platforms such as Relativity or Concordance. Additionally, obtaining certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA may enhance job prospects and salary potential. For paralegals in Long Beach, it’s advisable to cultivate niche skills and remain fluent in relevant technology to command a competitive edge in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $77,777 for paralegalsin the Long Beach metropolitan area. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Long Beach 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