How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in California?
$77,390a year
Median yearly pay for paralegal and legal assistants in California. That is $37.21 an hour or $6,449 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.21
- Vs. national median
- +23%
- Rank among states
- 5 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 47,130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $50,460Median: $77,390Highest 10%: $119,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,460 | $24.26 | |
| 25th | $60,170 | $28.93 | |
| Median | $77,390 | $37.21 | |
| 75th | $98,430 | $47.32 | |
| 90th | $119,600 | $57.49 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $99,250 |
| San Francisco, CA | $84,030 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $80,930 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,280 |
| Sacramento, CA | $78,550 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $78,160 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $77,520 |
| Napa, CA | $77,020 |
| San Diego, CA | $76,300 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $75,200 |
| Oxnard, CA | $74,780 |
| Stockton, CA | $70,520 |
| Hanford, CA | $69,600 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $64,690 |
| Visalia, CA | $64,380 |
| Salinas, CA | $63,950 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $63,420 |
| El Centro, CA | $63,000 |
| Fresno, CA | $62,450 |
| Riverside, CA | $61,460 |
| Merced, CA | $61,320 |
| Yuba City, CA | $60,650 |
| Redding, CA | $59,620 |
| Modesto, CA | $58,820 |
| Chico, CA | $58,280 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for paralegal and legal assistants.
| 2. Washington | $79,400 |
| 3. Colorado | $78,190 |
| 4. Massachusetts | $77,640 |
| 5. California | $77,390 |
| 6. Minnesota | $75,570 |
| 7. New Jersey | $71,500 |
| 8. Alaska | $68,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $37.21 ($77,390 a year).
Do paralegal and legal assistants make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $77,390 against $62,890 nationally, 23% more.
Where does California rank for paralegal and legal assistant pay?
California ranks 5 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays paralegal and legal assistants the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $99,250 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.