verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Paralegal Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$77,390/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$37.21/hr
▲ 23% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
47,130
public U.S. Median
$62,890
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$69,897 #7 of 51

Paralegal pay in California, explained

Paralegals in California earn a median of $77,390 per year ($37.21 per hour), which is 23% above the national median of $62,890. Entry-level workers earn around $50,460, while the most experienced paralegals reach about $119,580. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $77,390 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $77,390 is worth about $69,897 in national buying power — ranking California #7 for real pay (vs #5 on the sticker number).

See the full Paralegal Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Paralegal pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$50,460
$24.26/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$77,390
$37.21/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$119,580
$57.49/hr

Paralegal pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $77,390 $69,897
Nevada $64,680 $64,694 +$12,710
Arizona $61,630 $61,216 +$15,760
Oregon $61,490 $59,491 +$15,900

Paralegal in California: FAQ

How much do paralegals make in California?

Paralegals in California earn a median of $77,390 per year ($37.21 per hour), compared with $62,890 nationally.

Does California pay paralegals well?

At $77,390, California pays 23% above the national median for paralegals. An estimated 47,130 work in the state.

Paralegal salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in California