Paralegal Salary in Medford, OR: $59,208 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Medford, OR earns a median $59,208/year (≈ $28.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Medford's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.4), that paycheck buys what $58,372 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected paralegal salary in Medford, OR, stands at $59,208, which reflects a competitive local market compared to the national median of $65,097. This salary encompasses a range of compensation, with the lower end at $46,372 and the upper tier reaching $87,683. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight an active job market in Medford. Particularly for paralegals specializing in e-discovery, which includes expertise in tools like Relativity, there is a marked premium that can significantly elevate earnings. Those aiming to excel in this specialty can expect the potential for enhanced compensation, which further enriches the local employment landscape for legal professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,372 | $22.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,997 | $25.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,208 | $28.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,328 | $36.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,683 | $42.16 |
Median Salary Position
9.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
In Medford, OR, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,311 (2026 est.). At $59,208, the local median is 9.05% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Medford Paralegal Pay Compares
Medford median: $59,208/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,097 | -9.05% less |
Paralegals in Medford, OR earn a median of $59,208 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.05% lower than the national median of $65,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medford has a cost of living 1.43% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Medford, OR has a cost-of-living index of 101.433 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,208 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,372 — a 1.41% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,950
2025 BLS Actual
$57,200
2026 Current Est.
$59,208
2019–2027 Growth
+13.6%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,208 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,286 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medford metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 6.0% from $53,950 (2019) to $57,200 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,286 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,336 (13.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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) | $46,372 – $52,997 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,997 – $59,208 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,208 – $76,328 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,328 – $87,683 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Medford
With approximately 170 paralegals employed in Medford, the area's job market remains robust, though it is imperative to consider the cost of living index, which is currently at 101.433. This slightly above-average cost of living can affect take-home pay and purchasing power for paralegals, making salary negotiations crucial. Employers such as mid-size law firms and corporate legal departments typically offer higher compensation than smaller practices or those focused on public defense. The significant disparity in pay often stems from the type of legal work, with specialties like e-discovery and corporate mergers and acquisitions yielding higher salaries. Additionally, acquiring certifications from NALA or NFPA, or being bilingual, can also enhance earning potential. Ultimately, paralegals in Medford seeking to maximize their pay should focus on gaining specialized skills and considering opportunities in more lucrative market segments.
More salary data for Medford, OR:
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 $57,200 for paralegalsin the Medford 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, 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