Paralegal Salary in Houma, LA: $48,194 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Houma, LA earns a median $48,194/year (≈ $23.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Houma's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.1), that paycheck buys what $56,630 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.0% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houma, Louisiana, paralegal salaries reflect a varied landscape influenced by employer type and work-life balance considerations. With a median annual salary of $48,194, compensation is considerably lower than the national median of $65,097, indicating a difference of about 25.97%. The salary range for paralegals in this region spans from $33,134 at the lower end to $77,777 at the upper echelon. Those positions in bigger law firms often promise higher pay, but they frequently demand longer hours, while in-house corporate roles typically offer a more favorable work-life balance, albeit with more modest compensation. The compensation data referenced here comes from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, estimating a future outlook for 2026.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,134 | $15.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,194 | $23.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,025 | $31.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,777 | $37.40 |
Median Salary Position
25.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houma
In Houma, LA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,643 (2026 est.). At $48,194, the local median is 25.97% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houma Paralegal Pay Compares
Houma median: $48,194/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $58,773 | -18.00% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -25.97% less |
Paralegals in Houma, LA earn a median of $48,194 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.97% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 18.00% below the Louisiana state average of $58,773.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houma has a cost of living 14.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houma, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.103 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $48,194 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,630 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,170
2025 BLS Actual
$46,560
2026 Current Est.
$48,194
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,139 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,194 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,886 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houma metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 13.1% from $41,170 (2019) to $46,560 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,886 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,716 (21.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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) | $33,134 – $42,760 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,760 – $48,194 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,194 – $65,025 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,025 – $77,777 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Houma
Analyzing the local job market, approximately 80 paralegals are currently employed in Houma, contributing to a stable yet competitive environment. The cost of living index stands at 85.103, which is below the national average, effectively enhancing the take-home purchasing power for paralegals. Among employers, law firms, especially larger ones, generally provide the highest salaries, while corporate legal departments and government offices follow closely behind. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include the tier of the firm, specialty focus—such as e-discovery commanding premium rates—and individual qualifications like NALA CP or NFPA RP certifications. To maximize earning potential in Houma, paralegals should consider specializing in high-demand areas, pursuing additional certifications, and networking within the local legal community.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
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 $46,560 for paralegalsin the Houma 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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