Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
The median pay for a paralegals and legal assistants in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL is $63,050/year ($30.31/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $90K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 114.16), so that salary is closer to $55,230 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,436/month — about 55.6% 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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach?
About paralegals and legal assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistants (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K.Top earners bring in $90K or more - a $53K 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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paralegals and legal assistants make in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL?
The median is $63,050 a year - that works out to about $30.31 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,440, and experienced paralegals and legal assistants can clear $89,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,392/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,436/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 55.5% 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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach?
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach has a Regional Price Parity of 114.16 (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 $55,230 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.