Rhode Island ranks 36th of 51 states and D.C. for paralegals and legal assistants pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($99,300) by $44,760 — a 82% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $39,190 to $81,880 — a $42,690 spread, 28% tighter than the national $59,280 range.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants are more concentrated in Rhode Island than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.56 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.56× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| 25th percentile | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,540 | $26.22 |
| 75th percentile | $63,180 | $30.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,880 | $39.37 |
| Mean (average) | $57,330 | $27.56 |
How Rhode Island Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island (current) | $54,540 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $99,300 | +82% |
| Washington | $78,010 | +43% |
| Massachusetts | $74,990 | +37% |
| Colorado | $73,380 | +35% |
| California | $72,960 | +34% |
| Minnesota | $67,320 | +23% |
| New York | $66,390 | +22% |
| Oregon | $63,970 | +17% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Rhode Island
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Public Safety Telecommunicators | $54,540 | 400 |
| Highway Maintenance Workers | $54,080 | 600 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $54,080 | 360 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $53,730 | 4,470 |
| Information and Record Clerks, All Other | $55,370 | 140 |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | $55,460 | 850 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Rhode Island?
The mean paralegals and legal assistants salary in Rhode Island is $57,330 per year. The median (middle) salary is $54,540 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Rhode Island?
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistantss (10th percentile) in Rhode Island typically earn around $39,190 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $45,560 per year.
What is the highest Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Rhode Island?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Rhode Island make approximately $81,880 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $63,180 per year.
How does the Rhode Island Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary compare to the national average?
The median paralegals and legal assistants salary in Rhode Island is $54,540, which is -11% below national average of $61,010.