RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary: California vs District of Columbia

Occupation

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in District of Columbia earn a median of $89,750. In California, $77,390. After cost-of-living, the gap is 14.4% — not 13.8%.

Nominal pay gap
-13.8%
California vs District of Columbia
COL-adjusted gap
-14.4%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Median
$77,390
p25
$60,170
p75
$98,430
p10
$50,460
p90
$119,580
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-59%
See full breakdown for California

District of Columbia

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Median
$89,750
p25
$72,240
p75
$114,920
p10
$59,770
p90
$131,650
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
109.9
Hiring velocity (180d)
+500%
See full breakdown for District of Columbia

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.