Paralegals and Legal Assistants Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$50,460
- 25th Percentile — Junior$60,170
- 50th Percentile — Median$77,390
- 75th Percentile — Senior$98,430
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$119,580
Half of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in California earn more than $77,390. The top 10% make $119,580 or more, while entry-level workers start around $50,460.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 51 states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay, at $81,320 per year (16.7% above the U.S. average of $69,700).
- 47,130 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in California — 12.0% of all U.S. Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs.
- Location quotient 1.02: Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,460; the top 10% earn over $119,580.
- Hourly equivalent: $39.1 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $95,400.
- Among legal jobs in California, Lawyers pays the most ($230,040).
Paralegals and Legal Assistants Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Paralegals and Legal Assistants here earn $81,320 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $81,320 is roughly equivalent to $57,268 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($95,400), Washington ($83,740), Massachusetts ($81,160) are the closest alternatives for Paralegals and Legal Assistants weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Legal Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in California?
The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in California is $81,320 per year (median $77,390), which is 16.7% above the national average of $69,700.
How does California rank for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($95,400/yr).
How much do entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in California earn about $50,460 per year and the 25th percentile is $60,170.
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in California?
About $39.1 per hour, based on the $81,320 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants work in California?
BLS counts 47,130 Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data