📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

District of Columbia · 52.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$99,226
per year
Median
$94,590
per year
Hourly
$47.7
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$62,684
25th Percentile — Junior$80,434
50th Percentile — Median$94,590
75th Percentile — Senior$120,373
90th Percentile — Top Earners$135,239
💡 Top-earning Paralegals and Legal Assistantss in District of Columbia make up to $135,239 per year. The job market in District of Columbia is rated very strong, with key industries including Government, Finance, Technology.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$85.6k
2021
$88.2k
2022
$90.8k
2023
$93.5k
2024
$96.3k
2025
$99.2k
2026
📈 Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries in District of Columbia have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in District of Columbia's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary by City in District of Columbia
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Washington $150,824 +52.0% High
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Paralegals and Legal Assistants Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia is home to a very strong job market for Paralegals and Legal Assistantss. The state's key industries — Government, Finance, Technology — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $99,226 per year, District of Columbia's Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries are 52.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in District of Columbia (index: 1.52) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in District of Columbia can expect to earn $62,684–$80,434, while experienced Paralegals and Legal Assistantss can command $120,373–$135,239.

Looking ahead, the Paralegals and Legal Assistants profession in District of Columbia is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Government continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in District of Columbia is $99,226 per year in 2026, which is 52.0% above the national average of $65,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Paralegals and Legal Assistantss the highest wages in District of Columbia due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • District of Columbia has a very strong job market with major industries in Government, Finance, Technology. This makes it one of the better states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants employment.
  • At $99,226/year, District of Columbia Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries are 52.0% higher than the national average of $65,280/year.