What is the average salary for a paralegal?

The national average salary for paralegals was $51,170 per year as of May 2013, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The federal executive level was the highest-paying sector, as paralegals averaged $66,800 per year in this employment sector.

Paralegals in company management roles earned $62,020 per year on average. In the largest employment sector, legal services, paralegals averaged $49,180. State pay varies. The highest-paying state or territory as of May 2013 was Washington, D.C., at $73,050 per year. California, at $60,060 per year, and Alaska, at $60,020 per year, were the second- and third-highest paying states for paralegals.