Paralegal and Legal Assistant Salary in Providence, RI
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $57,100 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,535 take-home, or $3,878 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paralegal and legal assistant salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,672
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,540
- Medicare (1.45%)$828
- Rhode Island income tax$1,524
- Take-home pay$46,535
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. 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 Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,370 | $20.85 | $36,018 | $3,002 |
| 25th percentile | $44,990 | $21.63 | $37,259 | $3,105 |
| Median (50th) | $57,100 | $27.45 | $46,535 | $3,878 |
| 75th percentile | $72,140 | $34.68 | $57,492 | $4,791 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,850 | $38.87 | $63,293 | $5,274 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $57,100 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paralegal and legal assistant's $46,535 take-home pay has the buying power of $45,725 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Providence, RI has 1.3× 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
Providence, RI ranks #35 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 |
| 35 | Providence, RI | $57,100 | $46,535 | $45,725 |
*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 Providence, RI?
The median paralegal and legal assistant salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $57,100 a year, or about $27.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,990 and $72,140.
What is a paralegal and legal assistant’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $57,100 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $46,535 a year ($3,878 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,524 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a paralegal and legal assistant?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $62,890. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $45,725 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #35 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paralegal and legal assistant afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median paralegal and legal assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Providence, RI
- Lawyer — $133,000