Paralegal and Legal Assistant Salary in Tampa, FL
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median $60,150 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,511 take-home, or $4,209 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paralegal and legal assistant salary in Tampa, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,038
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,729
- Medicare (1.45%)$872
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$50,511
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Paralegal and Legal Assistant pay by experience in Tampa, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,260 | $20.80 | $36,939 | $3,078 |
| 25th percentile | $48,130 | $23.14 | $40,852 | $3,404 |
| Median (50th) | $60,150 | $28.92 | $50,511 | $4,209 |
| 75th percentile | $76,230 | $36.65 | $62,458 | $5,205 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,880 | $38.88 | $65,729 | $5,477 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $60,150 buys in Tampa, FL
Prices in Tampa, FL are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.26× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paralegal and legal assistant's $50,511 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,065 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Tampa, FL has 1.8× 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
Tampa, FL ranks #27 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 |
| 27 | Tampa, FL | $60,150 | $50,511 | $50,065 |
*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.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant salaries elsewhere in Florida
- Orlando, FL — $59,470
- Miami, FL — $62,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Tampa, FL?
The median paralegal and legal assistant salary in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $60,150 a year, or about $28.92 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,130 and $76,230.
What is a paralegal and legal assistant’s take-home pay in Tampa, FL?
On the median $60,150 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $50,511 a year ($4,209 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a paralegal and legal assistant?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $62,890. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,065 would in a typical U.S. city. Tampa, FL ranks #27 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paralegal and legal assistant afford rent in Tampa, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tampa, FL is $1,696 a month ($1,977 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median paralegal and legal assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tampa, FL
- Lawyer — $127,490