Massachusetts ranks 3rd of 51 states and D.C. for paralegals and legal assistants pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($99,300) by $24,310 — a 32% gap.
Massachusetts employs roughly 2.0% of all paralegals and legal assistants in the country (7,520 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $49,850 | $23.96 |
| 25th percentile | $60,370 | $29.02 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 75th percentile | $92,510 | $44.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,650 | $51.75 |
| Mean (average) | $78,540 | $37.76 |
How Massachusetts Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (current) | $74,990 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $99,300 | +32% |
| Washington | $78,010 | +4% |
| Colorado | $73,380 | -2% |
| California | $72,960 | -3% |
| Minnesota | $67,320 | -10% |
| New York | $66,390 | -11% |
| Oregon | $63,970 | -15% |
| Maryland | $63,560 | -15% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Massachusetts
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialists | $75,230 | 8,080 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $75,240 | 39,170 |
| Medical Equipment Repairers | $74,600 | 1,330 |
| Fundraisers | $74,370 | 5,940 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | $75,670 | 19,570 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $75,790 | 5,120 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Massachusetts?
The mean paralegals and legal assistants salary in Massachusetts is $78,540 per year. The median (middle) salary is $74,990 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Massachusetts?
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistantss (10th percentile) in Massachusetts typically earn around $49,850 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $60,370 per year.
What is the highest Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Massachusetts?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Massachusetts make approximately $107,650 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $92,510 per year.
How does the Massachusetts Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary compare to the national average?
The median paralegals and legal assistants salary in Massachusetts is $74,990, which is +23% above national average of $61,010.