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

Paralegal Salary in District of Columbia

Median Annual in District of Columbia
$89,750/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$43.15/hr
▲ 43% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in District of Columbia

groups Employed in DC
6,400
public U.S. Median
$62,890
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$81,664 #1 of 51

Paralegal pay in District of Columbia, explained

Paralegals in District of Columbia earn a median of $89,750 per year ($43.15 per hour), which is 43% above the national median of $62,890. Entry-level workers earn around $59,770, while the most experienced paralegals reach about $131,650. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within District of Columbia.

Is $89,750 good pay in District of Columbia?

Adjusted for District of Columbia's cost of living (which runs 110% of the U.S. average), that $89,750 is worth about $81,664 in national buying power — ranking District of Columbia #1 for real pay (vs #1 on the sticker number).

See the full Paralegal Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Paralegal pay by experience in District of Columbia

Entry level (10th pct)
$59,770
$28.74/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$89,750
$43.15/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$131,650
$63.29/hr

Paralegal pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs DC
District of Columbia (here) $89,750 $81,664
Maryland $65,640 $62,539 +$24,110
Virginia $63,990 $63,291 +$25,760

Paralegal in District of Columbia: FAQ

How much do paralegals make in District of Columbia?

Paralegals in District of Columbia earn a median of $89,750 per year ($43.15 per hour), compared with $62,890 nationally.

Does District of Columbia pay paralegals well?

At $89,750, District of Columbia pays 43% above the national median for paralegals. An estimated 6,400 work in the state.

Paralegal salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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