Paralegal hourly rate
A senior Paralegal typically receives $45 an hour as a part-time contractor in the United States, against a market median wage of $32.13. Below: percentiles and rates for every country we cover, by level and format.
Paralegal pay in the United States
National wage percentiles for the role. Full United States page.
| Percentile | Per hour | 5 h a week, per month | Full time, per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22.86 | $500 | $47,500 |
| 25th | $25.71 | $560 | $53,500 |
| Median | $32.13 | $700 | $66,800 |
| 75th | $40.91 | $890 | $85,100 |
| 90th | $51.85 | $1,120 | $107,800 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025; aged to October 2026.
Paralegal rates by country
| Country | 10th | Median wage | 90th | Contractor rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $22.86 | $32.13 | $51.85 | $45 |
| Canada | CA$23.11 | CA$35.32 | CA$55.77 | CA$50 |
| United Kingdom | £10.59 | £14.94 | £28.81 | £23 |
| Austria | €12.22 | €19.28 | €32.19 | €30 |
| Belgium | €12.39 | €22.23 | €37.70 | €32 |
| Bulgaria | €3.97 | €7.05 | €15.80 | €10 |
| Croatia | €5.90 | €9.72 | €17.37 | €14 |
| Cyprus | €7.00 | €11.76 | €29.46 | €17 |
| Czechia | €6.42 | €10.00 | €16.26 | €14 |
| Denmark | €19.65 | €28.73 | €42.92 | €40 |
| Estonia | €6.59 | €11.85 | €20.39 | €17 |
| Finland | €12.75 | €17.55 | €27.53 | €25 |
| France | €9.51 | €13.98 | €24.79 | €21 |
| Germany | €11.37 | €19.91 | €35.45 | €32 |
| Greece | €5.99 | €9.27 | €15.88 | €13 |
| Hungary | €5.10 | €8.72 | €16.72 | €13 |
| Ireland | €15.01 | €24.73 | €55.32 | €36 |
| Italy | €9.69 | €13.85 | €25.93 | €20 |
| Latvia | €5.14 | €9.76 | €19.43 | €14 |
| Lithuania | €6.37 | €10.89 | €20.35 | €16 |
| Luxembourg | €16.19 | €25.39 | €52.35 | €35 |
| Malta | €5.80 | €9.71 | €16.97 | €14 |
| Netherlands | €11.69 | €19.52 | €31.74 | €30 |
| Poland | €5.32 | €8.75 | €16.95 | €13 |
| Portugal | €7.10 | €9.09 | €21.02 | €13 |
| Romania | €4.36 | €7.24 | €15.72 | €10 |
| Slovakia | €5.48 | €8.47 | €14.16 | €12 |
| Slovenia | €8.69 | €12.52 | €21.69 | €18 |
| Spain | €8.10 | €12.25 | €23.28 | €18 |
| Sweden | €13.47 | €17.75 | €25.82 | €25 |
Hourly figures in local currency. Contractor rate is the typical Deftridge rate for a senior Paralegal in the regular role format.
Paralegal pay by US state
Typical contractor rate, highest first.
By level and format
United States. A manager earns 1.20 times the senior rate; a one-off task pays a higher hourly rate than a standing role because the work is fixed-scope.
| Level | Per hour |
|---|---|
| Specialist | $40 |
| Senior | $45 |
Questions about Paralegal rates
What is the typical hourly rate for a Paralegal?
In the United States the typical rate for a senior Paralegal is $45 an hour (market median wage $32.13). Rates vary by country, state and level; the tables above list them.
Is this a salary?
No. The market median is an employee wage for reference. The Deftridge rate is what a part-time contractor in that role receives per hour, before tax.
How does level change the rate?
Levels scale the rate: specialist 0.85, senior 1.00, manager 1.20, director 1.45 and executive 1.75 of the senior rate, inside the country floor and cap.