Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
The median pay for a paralegals and legal assistants in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $80,550/year ($38.72/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $125K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $73,981 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 44.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $81K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About paralegals and legal assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistants (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K.Top earners bring in $125K or more - a $74K 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paralegals and legal assistants make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $80,550 a year - that works out to about $38.72 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,590, and experienced paralegals and legal assistants can clear $124,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,087/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44.2% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $73,981 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.