BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New Jersey

$72,550 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$34.88 per hour

▲ 4.1% above U.S. average10th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$72,550per year
Median$71,500per year
Hourly$34.88per hour
10th – 90th percentile$47,070 – $99,900per year

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Pay Range in New Jersey

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,070
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$60,040
  • 50th Percentile — Median$71,500
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$80,920
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$99,900

Half of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New Jersey earn more than $71,500. The top 10% make $99,900 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,070.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New Jersey: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • New Jersey ranks 10th of 51 states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay, at $72,550 per year (4.1% above the U.S. average of $69,700).
  • 12,010 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New Jersey — 3.1% of all U.S. Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.11: Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are more concentrated in New Jersey than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,070; the top 10% earn over $99,900.
  • Hourly equivalent: $34.88 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $95,400.
  • Among legal jobs in New Jersey, Lawyers pays the most ($184,090).

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Job Market in New Jersey

Key factors affecting compensation

New Jersey's key industries are Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Paralegals and Legal Assistants here earn $72,550 on average, placing the state 10th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.28 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Jersey salary of $72,550 is roughly equivalent to $56,680 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($76,890), Minnesota ($73,960), Alaska ($73,440) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in New Jersey?

The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in New Jersey is $72,550 per year (median $71,500), which is 4.1% above the national average of $69,700.

How does New Jersey rank for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay?

New Jersey ranks 10th 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 New Jersey?

The lowest-paid 10% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New Jersey earn about $47,070 per year and the 25th percentile is $60,040.

How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in New Jersey?

About $34.88 per hour, based on the $72,550 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants work in New Jersey?

BLS counts 12,010 Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs in New Jersey (OEWS May 2025).

Explore more salary data