District of Columbia Median
$89,750
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+43% vs US median
US median $62,890
State Rank
#1 of 51
6,400 employed here
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in District of Columbia?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $89,750 per year, or about $43.15 per hour. That is 43% above the national median of $62,890 for this occupation.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $59,770 while the top 10% make $131,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,240 and $114,920 a year.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,770 | $28.74 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $72,240 | $34.73 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $89,750 | $43.15 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $114,920 | $55.25 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,650 | $63.29 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in other states
Washington $79,400Colorado $78,190Massachusetts $77,640California $77,390Minnesota $75,570New Jersey $71,500Alaska $68,700New York $68,410Vermont $67,160Maryland $65,640Nevada $64,680Virginia $63,990Connecticut $63,820Illinois $63,670Pennsylvania $63,370Nebraska $63,250Utah $63,220Delaware $63,110Hawaii $62,840Maine $62,420Georgia $62,400Texas $62,310Michigan $62,170New Hampshire $62,040Arizona $61,630Oregon $61,490Missouri $61,410Florida $61,000Ohio $60,420Louisiana $60,250New Mexico $59,840Kentucky $59,830North Dakota $59,430West Virginia $59,000Tennessee $58,820Wisconsin $58,500South Dakota $58,320North Carolina $57,500Montana $57,290Indiana $57,030Rhode Island $56,250Kansas $55,000Iowa $54,550South Carolina $53,880Oklahoma $53,170Idaho $49,690Wyoming $49,490Arkansas $47,420Alabama $47,260Mississippi $46,180
Working as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 393,000 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($89,750) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in District of Columbia?
The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in District of Columbia is $89,750 per year, or about $43.15 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,770 at the entry level to $131,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Paralegals and Legal Assistants about 43% more than the national median of $62,890. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $89,750 a year. About 6,400 Paralegals and Legal Assistants are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.