Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in New York
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in New York earn a median annual wage of $68,410 —8.8% above the national median of $62,890. That ranks NY #9 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.40× as concentrated as the national average, making New York a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for paralegals and legal assistants
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. New York is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $89,750 | $43.15 | 6,400 | 3.61 |
| 2 | Washington | $79,400 | $38.17 | 9,460 | 1.05 |
| 3 | Colorado | $78,190 | $37.59 | 5,620 | 0.77 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $77,640 | $37.33 | 7,800 | 0.85 |
| 5 | California | $77,390 | $37.21 | 47,130 | 1.02 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $75,570 | $36.33 | 7,400 | 0.99 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $71,500 | $34.38 | 12,010 | 1.11 |
| 8 | Alaska | $68,700 | $33.03 | 570 | 0.69 |
| 9 | New York | $68,410 | $32.89 | 34,220 | 1.40 |
| 10 | Vermont | $67,160 | $32.29 | 660 | 0.86 |
Related occupations in New York
Occupations in the same job family, compared within New York.
| Occupation | New York median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyers | $207,860 | $159,670 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $61,380 | $58,650 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $76,520 | $72,110 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $216,390 | $153,990 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $123,170 | $117,860 |
| Judicial Law Clerks | $133,320 | $64,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do paralegals and legal assistants make in New York?
The median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants in New York is $68,410, or $32.89 per hour. That is 8.8% above the national median of $62,890.
What is the entry-level paralegals and legal assistants salary in New York?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $48,330 per year ($23.24/hour). The 25th percentile is $57,430.
How many people work as paralegals and legal assistants in New York?
About 34,220 people work in this occupation in New York, or 3.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is New York a good state for paralegals and legal assistants?
New York ranks #9 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.40x as concentrated as the national average, making New York a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays paralegals and legal assistants the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $89,750 per year, followed by Washington ($79,400) and Colorado ($78,190).