Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
The median pay for a paralegals and legal assistants in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is $45,190/year ($21.73/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.43), which stretches that salary to about $48,368 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,242/month — about 39.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $45K get you in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
About paralegals and legal assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistants (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K.Top earners bring in $66K or more - a $28K spread from bottom to top.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $99K | +63% | 5,880 |
| Washington | $78K | +28% | 9,070 |
| Massachusetts | $75K | +23% | 7,520 |
| California | $73K | +20% | 45,740 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +10% | 6,640 |
| New York | $66K | +9% | 28,510 |
| Oregon | $64K | +5% | 4,910 |
| Maryland | $64K | +4% | 5,770 |
| Connecticut | $63K | +4% | 4,920 |
| Vermont | $63K | +3% | 730 |
| New Jersey | $63K | +3% | 11,720 |
| Illinois | $62K | +2% | 12,430 |
| Nevada | $62K | +2% | 3,490 |
| Michigan | $61K | +1% | 7,240 |
| Nebraska | $61K | +1% | 1,570 |
Track paralegals and legal assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Lafayette-West Lafayette numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paralegals and legal assistants make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median is $45,190 a year - that works out to about $21.73 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,200, and experienced paralegals and legal assistants can clear $66,310. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,081/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,242/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 40.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a paralegals and legal assistants salary go in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
Lafayette-West Lafayette has a Regional Price Parity of 93.43 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median paralegals and legal assistants salary is worth about $48,368 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do paralegals and legal assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.