Paralegal and Legal Assistant Salary in Washington, DC
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $81,590 a year — 30% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,262 take-home, or $5,188 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paralegal and legal assistant salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,120
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,059
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,183
- District of Columbia income tax$3,967
- Take-home pay$62,262
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Paralegal and Legal Assistant pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,160 | $27.48 | $45,839 | $3,820 |
| 25th percentile | $64,180 | $30.86 | $51,023 | $4,252 |
| Median (50th) | $81,590 | $39.23 | $62,262 | $5,188 |
| 75th percentile | $106,990 | $51.44 | $77,972 | $6,498 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,020 | $60.59 | $89,657 | $7,471 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,590 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paralegal and legal assistant's $62,262 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,182 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.6× the national concentration of paralegal and legal assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for paralegals and legal assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #3 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 Washington, DC?
The median paralegal and legal assistant salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $81,590 a year, or about $39.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $64,180 and $106,990.
What is a paralegal and legal assistant’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $81,590 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $62,262 a year ($5,188 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,967 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a paralegal and legal assistant?
Pay here is 30% above the national median of $62,890. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,182 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #3 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paralegal and legal assistant afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median paralegal and legal assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Lawyer — $195,190
- Legal Support Workers, All Other — $169,690