Paralegal Salary in Morgantown, WV: $64,011 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Morgantown, WV earns a median $64,011/year (≈ $30.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $68,591 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.0% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the paralegal salary in Morgantown, WV is projected to be around $64,011, slightly below the national median of $65,097. The salary spectrum for paralegals in this region varies widely, ranging from $36,963 at the 10th percentile to as much as $110,393 for those at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflects the competitive landscape of legal specialties. With the growing prominence of e-discovery and specific software expertise like Relativity being highly valued, paralegals with such specialization can command significantly higher salaries, making them attractive to employers who prioritize this skill set.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,963 | $17.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,396 | $18.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,011 | $30.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,110 | $38.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,393 | $53.07 |
Median Salary Position
1.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,430 (2026 est.). At $64,011, the local median is 1.67% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Morgantown Paralegal Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $64,011/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $55,182 | +16.00% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -1.67% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown has a cost of living 6.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 93.323 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $64,011 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,591 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,440
2025 BLS Actual
$61,840
2026 Current Est.
$64,011
2019–2027 Growth
+24.0%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,011 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,257 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 15.7% from $53,440 (2019) to $61,840 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,257 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,817 (23.98%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,963 – $39,396 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,396 – $64,011 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,011 – $81,110 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,110 – $110,393 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Morgantown
The job market for paralegals in Morgantown is robust, with approximately 100 professionals currently employed in the field. A cost-of-living index of 93.323 indicates that living expenses are lower than the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of these legal workers. Law firms, particularly larger ones, typically offer the highest compensation, while in-house corporate legal departments provide greater work-life balance and stable remuneration. The variation in salaries can primarily be attributed to factors such as the size and type of the firm, areas of specialization, and relevant certifications. For paralegals seeking to increase their pay, pursuing certifications from NALA or NFPA, gaining experience in high-demand areas like e-discovery, and being bilingual can significantly enhance earning potential in the Morgantown market.
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
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 $61,840 for paralegalsin the Morgantown 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