How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for paralegal and legal assistants in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $39.23 an hour or $6,799 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.23
- Vs. national median
- +30%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 376
- Jobs in the area
- 12,990
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,160 | $27.48 | |
| 25th | $64,180 | $30.86 | |
| Median | $81,590 | $39.23 | |
| 75th | $107,000 | $51.44 | |
| 90th | $126,000 | $60.59 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for paralegal and legal assistants.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Lawyer | $195,200 |
| Legal Support Worker | $169,700 |
| Administrative Law Judge | $152,000 |
| Arbitrator | $109,900 |
| Judge | $104,000 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $70,110 |
| Title Examiner | $60,630 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $39.23 ($81,590 a year).
Do paralegal and legal assistants make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $81,590 against $62,890 nationally, 30% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $89,750, so Washington pays 9% less.
Where does Washington rank for paralegal and legal assistant pay?
4 of 376 metro areas with data.
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $57,160 or less a year; the top 10% make $126,000 or more.
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.