Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
The median pay for a paralegals and legal assistants in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $63,110/year ($30.34/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 113.57), so that salary is closer to $55,569 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,601/month — about 63.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $63K get you in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistants (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K.Top earners bring in $100K or more - a $56K 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paralegals and legal assistants make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median is $63,110 a year - that works out to about $30.34 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,360, and experienced paralegals and legal assistants can clear $100,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,217/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,601/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 61.7% 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has a Regional Price Parity of 113.57 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median paralegals and legal assistants salary is worth about $55,569 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.