It seems like the slogan for everything financial these days is “location, location, location.” Whether it’s real estate or job hunting, location is the most influential factor when it comes to maximizing your outcome.
Careers are no different. In fact, you can greatly increase your salary just by choosing the best location to live and work. You would be surprised to learn the degree to which salaries in a single profession can vary! A paralegal's salarly is definitely a good example - you can see this simply by looking at salaries for this field in different parts of the country.
This chart displays annual mean salaries for Paralegals in the U.S.
The data was collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics OES - May 2008.
How Much Does A Paralegal Make in Top-Paying States?
Paralegals in the District of Columbia are paid the most compared to any other state.
They earn an average annual income of $61,660. Paralegals in New York City earn an average annual income of $57,910. In California, paralegals are also paid very well, with an average annual income of $56,400. Believe it or not, Alaska is among the highest paying states for paralegals, with professionals earning $53,830 annually on average. Illinois is the fifth highest paying state for paralegals where they earn $52,330 annually.
In a profession where some earn as little as $35,000 in some industries and regions, salaries in the highest paying states are staggering. However, it’s important to consider cost of living when evaluating any salary for any profession. It’s no coincidence that many of the highest paying states are also the most costly states in which you can live. Also remember that the average starting paralegal salary is often lower than what you will earn after you gain experience.
Related Charts for Paralegal Salaries:
Paralegal Pay Scale - All U.S. States
Paralegal Salaries - Top Paying Metropolitan Areas
Paralegal Salary Ranges - Top Paying Industries
The bar graph above shows the states with the highest paralegal salaries. The data is displayed below in table format:
| State |
Annual Mean Wage |
|---|
| District of Columbia |
$61,660 |
| New York |
$57,910 |
| California |
$56,400 |
| Alaska |
$53,830 |
| Illinois |
$52,330 |
|
