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Average Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metropolitan area are earning an impressive average annual salary of $70,290. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $66,080, indicating a strong demand and potentially higher value placed on these legal support professionals within this specific region. The localized economic factors and the concentration of legal services likely contribute to this favorable compensation.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $70,290 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 17.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $96,530.
  • Outlook: With a substantial local workforce of 10,970 Paralegals and Legal Assistants, and a Location Quotient of 1.61, the job market in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington demonstrates a robust concentration of these roles compared to the national average. This suggests a healthy and active demand for legal support professionals, pointing towards a stable and potentially growing job market for those in this field within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$70,290

The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns+6.4%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$33.8

Weekly

$1,352

Monthly

$5,858

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Career progression for Paralegals and Legal Assistants typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions will naturally command lower salaries, while senior paralegals with specialized skills and years of experience can expect to earn considerably more, potentially reaching into the higher percentiles of the salary range. The widening gap between entry-level and senior roles reflects the value of accumulated expertise and responsibility in the legal field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Legal AssistantResearch, drafting documents, case support.10% (Entry)$46,360$22.3
AssociateHandling depositions, smaller cases independently.25% (Junior)$52,718$25.3
Senior AssociateLead on cases, client management, trial experience.50% (Median)$63,010$30.3
Counsel / PartnerBusiness development, specialized high-stakes cases.75% (Senior)$87,863$42.2
Managing PartnerFirm leadership. Executive strategy.90% (Expert)$96,530$46.4

Detailed Paralegals and Legal Assistants Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$70,290

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$70,290

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $70,290 in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a paralegal's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, suggesting that while the nominal salary is higher, the cost of maintaining a similar standard of living is comparable to the rest of the country.

Job Market Context

10,970

Total Jobs

3.826

Per 1K Jobs

1.61

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has 1.6x the national concentration of Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

The Location Quotient of 1.61 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington signifies a job market that is 61% more concentrated than the national average. This indicates a higher prevalence and potentially greater demand for these professionals relative to other occupations in the area, suggesting a competitive but also opportunity-rich environment for those seeking employment in this sector.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

CitySalaryDist.
Trenton-Princeton, NJ Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary$74,990↑ 7%28 mi
Vineland, NJ Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary$52,890↓ 25%35 mi
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary$58,740↓ 16%47 mi
Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary$58,210↓ 17%47 mi
Reading, PA Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary$57,250↓ 19%48 mi

Comparing salaries near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Hiring Paralegals and Legal Assistantss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

The median annual salary for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $70,290. This typically ranges from $46,360 for entry-level positions to $96,530 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 6.4% higher than the national median of $66,080.

Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?

Yes, it is a lucrative place for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.The average salary of $70,290 significantly exceeds the national average, and the high concentration of roles (LQ of 1.61) suggests strong local demand.

Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?

The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

Some top paying nearby cities include Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($74,990) and Vineland, NJ.

How does the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington salary compare to the national average?

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington earn an average of $70,290 annually, which is notably higher than the national average of $66,080.

What is the job concentration for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in this area?

The area has a Location Quotient of 1.61, meaning there are 61% more Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs relative to the national average, indicating a strong local presence.

How does the cost of living affect the salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local cost of living is exactly at the national average. Therefore, the higher nominal salary of $70,290 offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average.

What does the total local workforce number imply?

A local workforce of 10,970 Paralegals and Legal Assistants suggests a substantial and established professional community within the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington region.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 10,970 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 3.826 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Semantic Salary Analysis for Paralegals and Legal Assistants • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD