Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in California
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants in California was $77,390 +23.1% vs national
California vs United States
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $77,390 | $62,890 |
| Median hourly | $37.21 | $30.24 |
| Employment | 47,130 | 392,880 |
| Location quotient | 1.02 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (California) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
How to interpret these figures
The median wage in California is 23.1% above the national median — a difference of about $14,500 per year for a typical worker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average paralegals and legal assistants salary in California?
The median annual wage in California is $77,390 ($37.21 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does California compare to the national average for paralegals and legal assistants?
The California median of $77,390 is 23.1% higher than the U.S. median of $62,890.
How many paralegals and legal assistants work in California?
Approximately 47,130 are employed in California, per BLS OES.