Paralegal and Legal Assistant Salary in Denver, CO
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $80,500 a year — 28% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,628 take-home, or $5,219 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paralegal and legal assistant salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,880
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,991
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,167
- Colorado income tax$2,834
- Take-home pay$62,628
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Paralegal and Legal Assistant pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,590 | $29.13 | $48,907 | $4,076 |
| 25th percentile | $68,120 | $32.75 | $54,464 | $4,539 |
| Median (50th) | $80,500 | $38.70 | $62,628 | $5,219 |
| 75th percentile | $97,800 | $47.02 | $74,038 | $6,170 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,560 | $53.63 | $83,112 | $6,926 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,500 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paralegal and legal assistant's $62,628 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,205 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant jobs are about as common in Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for paralegals and legal assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #2 of 36 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $92,900 | $74,185 | $66,753 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $80,500 | $62,628 | $59,205 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $81,590 | $62,262 | $57,182 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $79,850 | $61,232 | $56,557 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $78,550 | $59,993 | $56,242 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $76,220 | $58,791 | $56,087 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $66,720 | $55,768 | $55,648 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $63,880 | $51,443 | $55,588 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 36 metros →
About the job: paralegals and legal assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Denver, CO?
The median paralegal and legal assistant salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $80,500 a year, or about $38.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $68,120 and $97,800.
What is a paralegal and legal assistant’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $80,500 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $62,628 a year ($5,219 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,834 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a paralegal and legal assistant?
Pay here is 28% above the national median of $62,890. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,205 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #2 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paralegal and legal assistant afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median paralegal and legal assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Lawyer — $177,380