Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $97,740 +60.2% vs national
Median hourly $46.99
10th percentile $58,900
90th percentile $150,120
Employed locally 2,050
National median $61,010

Compare Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary & buying power

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Paralegals and Legal Assistants
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,900
    25th
    $74,390
    50th (median)
    $97,740
    75th
    $119,530
    90th
    $150,120

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary vs area income 62% Median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary is 38% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $99,300
    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
    Midland, MI $78,120

    Nearby metros — Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Napa, CA $76,350

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lawyers $301,320
    Legal Support Workers, All Other $103,380
    Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers $93,470
    Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators $126,750

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in San Jose, CA is $46.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $75.70 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in San Jose, CA is 60.2% above 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 San Jose?

    Entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $58,900 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $74,390.