Paralegals and Legal Assistants Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$59,770
- 25th Percentile — Junior$72,240
- 50th Percentile — Median$89,750
- 75th Percentile — Senior$114,920
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$131,650
Half of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in District of Columbia earn more than $89,750. The top 10% make $131,650 or more, while entry-level workers start around $59,770.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay, at $95,400 per year (36.9% above the U.S. average of $69,700).
- 6,400 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in District of Columbia — 1.6% of all U.S. Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs.
- Location quotient 3.61: Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $59,770; the top 10% earn over $131,650.
- Hourly equivalent: $45.87 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among legal jobs in District of Columbia, Lawyers pays the most ($242,800).
Paralegals and Legal Assistants Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Paralegals and Legal Assistants here earn $95,400 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $95,400 is roughly equivalent to $62,763 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($83,740), California ($81,320), 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 District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in District of Columbia?
The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in District of Columbia is $95,400 per year (median $89,750), which is 36.9% above the national average of $69,700.
How does District of Columbia rank for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay?
District of Columbia ranks 1st 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 District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in District of Columbia earn about $59,770 per year and the 25th percentile is $72,240.
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $45.87 per hour, based on the $95,400 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 6,400 Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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