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Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in California
Ranked #3 of 51 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of paralegals and legal assistantss in California earn between $50,460 and $119,580. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean paralegals and legal assistants salary in California is $81,320, about 16.7% above the U.S. average ($69,700). That works out to roughly $39/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $99,250 | $103,080 | 2,030 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,030 | $92,830 | 7,630 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $80,930 | $79,840 | 360 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,280 | $77,730 | 160 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $78,550 | $81,560 | 2,590 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $78,160 | $77,820 | 290 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $77,520 | $79,550 | 22,240 |
| Napa, CA | $77,020 | $77,240 | 80 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals and legal assistants make in California?
The median paralegals and legal assistants salary in California is $77,390 per year (mean $81,320), and about 80% earn between $50,460 and $119,580.
How much do paralegals and legal assistants make per hour in California?
Roughly $39 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $81,320 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for paralegals and legal assistants?
California ranks #3 of 51 states for paralegals and legal assistants pay. Its mean salary of $81,320 is about 16.7% above the U.S. average of $69,700.
Which metro areas in California pay paralegals and legal assistants the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for paralegals and legal assistants are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($99,250), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($84,030), Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($80,930), by median annual wage.