Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay in California
The employment-weighted average of local median wages for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in California is $77,629, based on 46,250 workers. Among the 14 states with published data, that ranks number 3. The BLS national median for the occupation is $62,890, so California averages 23.4% above it.
Inside California, pay depends on the labor market. The highest local median is $84,030 in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area and the lowest is $77,520 in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, a difference of $6,510 across 2 wage areas.
Cost of living for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in California
We compare 7 California counties after federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics: a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline. Alameda County, CA leaves the largest yearly margin, $26,882. Marin County, CA leaves the smallest, $18,326. The median wage covers all four basics in 7 of the 7 counties.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in other states
The states with the highest average local median wages for Paralegals and Legal Assistants are District of Columbia ($81,590), West Virginia ($78,593), Virginia ($75,159) and Maryland ($74,657).
Frequently asked questions: Paralegals and Legal Assistants in California
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn in California?
The employment-weighted average of local median wages is $77,629, from $77,520 to $84,030 depending on the labor market.
Which California county is best for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Alameda County, CA leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes and the four basics ($26,882). Contra Costa County, CA follows at $26,882.