Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $62,460 +2.4% vs national
Median hourly $30.03
10th percentile $49,570
90th percentile $95,250
Employed locally 170
National median $61,010

Compare Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary & buying power

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Paralegals and Legal Assistants
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,570
    25th
    $59,120
    50th (median)
    $62,460
    75th
    $79,190
    90th
    $95,250

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary vs area income 57% Median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary is 43% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lawyers$192,800

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Santa Cruz, CA is $30.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.01 or more per hour.

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

    The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 2.4% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $49,570 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,120.