Salary distribution
Where Washington 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 $61,070 and $101,790, with a median of $78,010.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Washington: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $80,000. 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 II — qualified | 2 | $74,268 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $83,096 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $97,594 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Washington. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhang & Associates, P.C. | Law Clerk | 1 | $61,818 |
| Calix, Inc. | Intellectual Property Law Clerk | 1 | $97,594 |
| Lani Cao Law Office, PLLC | Legal Assistant | 1 | $83,096 |
| Dearbonn Law Offices PLLC | Legal Assistant | 1 | $68,536 |
| RoundGlass LLC | Associate, Paralegal | 1 | $80,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Law Clerk at Zhang & Associates, P.C.$61,818Mercer IslandDecided Nov 17, 2025I-200-25311-390270
- Intellectual Property Law Clerk at Calix, Inc.$97,594SeattleWage Level IVDecided Jun 25, 2025I-200-25168-103569
- Legal Assistant at Lani Cao Law Office, PLLC$83,096BellevueWage Level IIIDecided Jun 6, 2025I-200-25150-037040
- Legal Assistant at Dearbonn Law Offices PLLC$68,536BellevueWage Level IIDecided May 12, 2025I-200-25125-939480
- Associate, Paralegal at RoundGlass LLC$80,000BellevueWage Level IIDecided Apr 30, 2025I-200-25113-897593
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 Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.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 Washington
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.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Washington, by industry
Median offered wage across 5 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $74,268.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Zhang & Associates, P.C. | 4 | $74,268 |
| Manufacturing | Calix, Inc. | 1 | $97,594 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Washington 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 Washington metropolitan areas.
- Seattle$84,950
Compare Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Washington?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Washington is $78,010.
- How does Washington compare to the national median for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
- The Washington median is +25.4% versus the BLS national figure of $62,188.
- What is the salary range for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Washington?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $50,500 and the 90th-percentile at $115,120, 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.