Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in St. Louis, MO-IL

In St. Louis, MO-IL, the typical paralegal and legal assistant earns a median annual salary of $58,820, which translates to about $28.28 per hour. This figure is slightly below the national median for this occupation, which stands at $61,010. When compared to the area's median household income of $78,225, it becomes evident that paralegals and legal assistants in St. Louis generally earn less than the average household within their region. Despite earning less than the median household income, the local unemployment rate remains relatively low at 3.70%, indicating a stable job market for these professionals.

The salary range for paralegals and legal assistants varies significantly based on experience levels. Entry-level workers typically start around the 10th percentile with an annual salary of approximately $39,630. As they gain more experience, salaries increase; those at the 25th percentile earn about $45,320 annually, while individuals in the 75th percentile make around $69,580 per year. Highly experienced professionals can reach earnings as high as $82,760 annually at the 90th percentile. The disparity in wages between entry-level and seasoned workers is driven by factors such as accumulated expertise, specialization in complex legal matters, and the ability to handle more responsibility within law firms or legal departments.