Average Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA earn an average annual salary of $55,940. This figure is notably lower than the national average of $66,080, reflecting localized economic factors and demand within the region. While the cost of living is on par with the national average, the lower salary indicates a less competitive market for these legal support roles in this specific metropolitan area.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $55,940 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $75,100.
- Outlook: The Scranton--Wilkes-Barre area supports a local workforce of 370 Paralegals and Legal Assistants. With a Location Quotient of 0.6, the concentration of these roles is below the national average, suggesting a less robust demand compared to other regions. The rate of 1.441 jobs per 1,000 workers further indicates a moderate presence, implying that while opportunities exist, the market is not saturated with high demand.
Salary Overview
The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA earns-15.3%below the national average.
$26.9
$1,076
$4,662
Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Scranton--Wilkes-Barre is not provided, it's reasonable to assume that salaries for Paralegals and Legal Assistants have seen gradual growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Economic recovery and an increasing reliance on legal services typically drive modest salary increases in this profession, even in smaller metropolitan areas.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary Distribution in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Salary progression for Paralegals and Legal Assistants is significantly influenced by experience. Entry-level positions typically command salaries at the lower end of the spectrum, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills and a proven track record can expect to earn considerably more. The percentile gaps in salary distribution highlight the substantial earning potential as one advances from junior to senior roles within the legal field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal AssistantResearch, drafting documents, case support. | 10% (Entry) | $40,620 | $19.5 |
| AssociateHandling depositions, smaller cases independently. | 25% (Junior) | $41,955 | $20.2 |
| Senior AssociateLead on cases, client management, trial experience. | 50% (Median) | $49,890 | $24 |
| Counsel / PartnerBusiness development, specialized high-stakes cases. | 75% (Senior) | $69,925 | $33.6 |
| Managing PartnerFirm leadership. Executive strategy. | 90% (Expert) | $75,100 | $36.1 |
Detailed Paralegals and Legal Assistants Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$55,940
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$55,940
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $55,940 in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that while the salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary locally is equivalent to the national average. Therefore, relocating professionals will find their earnings stretch as far as they would in a typical U.S. city.
Job Market Context
370
Total Jobs
1.441
Per 1K Jobs
0.6
Location Quotient
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA has 0.60x the national average concentration of Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.6 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre signifies that this profession is less concentrated in the area compared to the national average. This suggests that the job market may be less competitive, potentially offering more opportunities for individuals seeking employment, but also indicating a lower overall demand relative to the size of the national workforce in this field.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Paralegals and Legal Assistants
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Binghamton, NY Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary | $60,280↑ 8% | 50 mi |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary | $58,740↑ 5% | 57 mi |
| Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary | $54,130↓ 3% | 64 mi |
| Central East New York nonmetropolitan area Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary | $58,410↑ 4% | 64 mi |
| Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary | $54,430↓ 3% | 64 mi |
Comparing salaries near Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Hiring Paralegals and Legal Assistantss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median annual salary for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is $55,940. This typically ranges from $40,620 for entry-level positions to $75,100 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is 15.3% lower than the national median of $66,080.
Is Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA a lucrative place for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to national averages.The average salary of $55,940 is significantly below the national average of $66,080, despite a cost of living that is on par with the national average.
Is Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA a good place to live for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
The Cost of Living Index in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Binghamton, NY ($60,280) and Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ.
How does the Scranton paralegal salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre is $55,940, which is approximately $10,140 less than the national average of $66,080.
What is the cost of living in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The cost of living in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is indexed at 100, which is exactly the national average. This means that the general cost of goods and services is comparable to the rest of the United States.
Is there high demand for paralegals in Scranton?
With a Location Quotient of 0.6, the concentration of paralegals and legal assistants is below the national average, suggesting a moderate rather than high demand in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre area.
How many paralegals and legal assistants work in Scranton?
The Scranton--Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area has a total local workforce of 370 Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 370 employees in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA area with a job density of 1.441 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- All Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Production Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Healthcare Support Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Management Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Browse All Jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Paralegals and Legal Assistants • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA