Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Modesto, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Modesto, CA

Median annual salary $60,370 -1% vs national
Median hourly $29.03
10th percentile $46,750
90th percentile $85,270
Employed locally 220
National median $61,010

Compare Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Modesto, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
in
Modesto, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,750
    25th
    $51,910
    50th (median)
    $60,370
    75th
    $73,360
    90th
    $85,270

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary vs area income 76% Median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary is 24% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $99,300
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,740
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $85,230
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $84,950
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $80,550
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,240

    Nearby metros — Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,740
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $85,230
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $77,990
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $77,550
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $77,470
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $77,170

    Related occupations in Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lawyers $159,220
    Legal Support Workers, All Other $78,470

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in Modesto?

    The median hourly wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Modesto, CA is $29.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.14 or more per hour.

    Is Modesto above or below average for Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries?

    The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Modesto, CA is 1% below the national median of $61,010. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Modesto?

    Entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $46,750 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,910.