Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states and D.C. for paralegals and legal assistants pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($99,300) by $21,290 — a 27% gap.
Washington employs roughly 2.5% of all paralegals and legal assistants in the country (9,070 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| 25th percentile | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,010 | $37.50 |
| 75th percentile | $101,790 | $48.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,120 | $55.34 |
| Mean (average) | $83,930 | $40.35 |
How Washington Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (current) | $78,010 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $99,300 | +27% |
| Massachusetts | $74,990 | -4% |
| Colorado | $73,380 | -6% |
| California | $72,960 | -6% |
| Minnesota | $67,320 | -14% |
| New York | $66,390 | -15% |
| Oregon | $63,970 | -18% |
| Maryland | $63,560 | -19% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Washington
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,000 | 1,340 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,110 | 1,930 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $77,900 | 8,380 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $78,140 | 10,570 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $78,310 | 1,200 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $77,630 | 33,360 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Washington?
The mean paralegals and legal assistants salary in Washington is $83,930 per year. The median (middle) salary is $78,010 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Washington?
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistantss (10th percentile) in Washington typically earn around $50,500 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $61,070 per year.
What is the highest Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Washington?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Washington make approximately $115,120 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $101,790 per year.
How does the Washington Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary compare to the national average?
The median paralegals and legal assistants salary in Washington is $78,010, which is +28% above national average of $61,010.