Paralegal Salary in California
BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC 23-2011 Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median in California
$77,390
$37.21 an hour
10th percentile
$50,460
90th percentile
$119,580
Jobs (wage & salary)
47,130
The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants in California was $77,390 in May 2025, $14,500 (23%) above the national median of $62,890.
The middle half earned between $60,170 (25th percentile) and $98,430 (75th percentile).
California ranks 5 of the 51 states and DC with a published median for this occupation.
The comparison is not adjusted for living costs.
BLS counts paralegals and legal assistants as one occupation, so these figures cover both titles.
Percentiles
Pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| 25th | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| 50th (median) | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| 75th | $98,430 | $47.32 |
| 90th | $119,580 | $57.49 |
| Mean (average) | $81,320 | $39.09 |
BLS OEWS May 2025.
Annual = hourly × 2,080.
OEWS covers wage-and-salary workers only and leaves out the self-employed, overtime pay and most bonuses.