Salary distribution
Where Massachusetts paralegals and legal assistants fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $60,370 and $92,510, with a median of $74,990.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Massachusetts: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 9 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $66,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $54,205 |
| Level II — qualified | 5 | $65,582 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $77,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Massachusetts. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish & Richardson P.C. | Technology Specialist | 2 | $65,582 |
| Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP | Paralegal/Clerk | 1 | $68,000 |
| Cambridge Immigration Law, P.C. | Law Clerk | 1 | $78,750 |
| SAC ATTORNEYS LLP | Paralegal | 1 | $65,582 |
| Amber Grace Davis | Senior Paralegal, Law Clerk | 1 | $66,000 |
| JOYCE AND ASSOCIATES P.C. | Immigration Paralegal | 1 | $54,205 |
| Perez Gardini, LLC | Senior Immigration Analyst | 1 | $77,000 |
| Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, LLP | Paralegal, Complex Litigation | 1 | $69,680 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Paralegal/Clerk at Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP$68,000BostonDecided Dec 29, 2025I-202-25353-499494
- Law Clerk at Cambridge Immigration Law, P.C.$78,750CambridgeDecided Nov 19, 2025I-200-25316-401015
- Paralegal at SAC ATTORNEYS LLP$65,582MaldenWage Level IIDecided Jun 12, 2025I-200-25156-059593
- Senior Paralegal, Law Clerk at Amber Grace Davis$66,000WoburnWage Level IIDecided Jun 11, 2025I-200-25155-052689
- Immigration Paralegal at JOYCE AND ASSOCIATES P.C.$54,205BOSTONWage Level IDecided May 30, 2025I-200-25142-008908
- Technology Specialist at Fish & Richardson P.C.$65,582BostonWage Level IIDecided Apr 30, 2025I-200-25113-894618
- Technology Specialist, Patent Agent at Fish & Richardson P.C.$65,582BostonWage Level IIDecided Apr 21, 2025I-200-25104-860160
- Senior Immigration Analyst at Perez Gardini, LLC$77,000WalthamWage Level IIIDecided Apr 15, 2025I-200-25098-841481
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay by experience level in Massachusetts
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Massachusetts over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Associate's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Administrative
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Written Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- 02
Prepare legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- 03
Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- 04
Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- 05
Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of case.
- 06
File pleadings with court clerk.
- 07
Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
- 08
Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+0.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for paralegals and legal assistants in major Massachusetts metropolitan areas.
- Boston$77,470
Compare Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Massachusetts?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Massachusetts is $74,990.
- How does Massachusetts compare to the national median for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
- The Massachusetts median is +20.6% versus the BLS national figure of $62,188.
- What is the salary range for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Massachusetts?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $49,850 and the 90th-percentile at $107,650, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Paralegals and Legal Assistants a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 0.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Associate's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.