As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Paralegal I in the United States is $68,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Research Paralegal I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI-Powered HR
A Research Paralegal I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Research Paralegal I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Paralegal I | 0-2 years | $68,890 |
| Research Paralegal II | 2-4 years | $80,863 |
| Research Paralegal III | 4-7 years | $93,288 |
| Research Paralegal IV | 7+ years | $116,743 |
| Research Paralegal V | 7-10 years | $149,667 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Research Paralegal Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | 3.97% |
| Microsoft Word | 2.28% |
| Adobe | 1.13% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Corporate Governance
|
$75,101 |
9%
|
|
Intellectual Property
|
$74,412 |
8%
|
|
Leadership
|
$73,723 |
7%
|
|
Contract Management
|
$73,723 |
7%
|
|
Presentation
|
$72,345 |
5%
|
|
Due Diligence
|
$72,345 |
5%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Paralegal Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Research Paralegal I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $63,196 and $67,736).
Research Paralegal I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.5% |
| High School | 17.1% |
| Associates | 28.5% |
| Bachelors | 46.3% |
| Masters | 4.4% |
| Doctorate | 3.1% |
Understanding how a Research Paralegal I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026For a Research Paralegal I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Research Paralegal II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $80,900 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.
Salaries for a Research Paralegal I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $64,204 in 2023 to around $63,334 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Research Paralegal I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $64,204 |
| 2024 | $64,001 |
| 2025 | $63,334 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Research Paralegal I and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Paralegal I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
As of now, the salary for a Research Paralegal in the United States ranges from $62,100 to $79,000 annually, with a median salary of $69,800. This translates to approximately $29.85 to $37.98 per hour, or about $1,196 to $1,520 per week.
High Paying Research Jobs include Research Director with salaries ranging from $135,500 to $229,000, and Research Scientist earning between $107,500 and $173,000. For those in legal research, a Research Paralegal can expect a salary between $62,100 and $79,000, with a mid-range of $69,800. Other roles like Animal Scientist and Scientific Director also offer competitive salaries.
Paralegals manage various responsibilities typically linked to attorneys, including client communication, drafting briefs, and court appearances. The salary for a Research Paralegal ranges from $62,100 to $79,000, with a median salary of $69,800, reflecting the importance of their role in legal processes.
These researchers, sometimes called law clerks, may work in law schools, private firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and other settings. Although they are behind the scenes, their efforts often make the difference between winning and losing a case. The salary for a Research Paralegal typically ranges from $62,100 to $79,000, with a median of $69,800.
As of now, the salary for a Research Paralegal in the United States ranges from $62,100 to $79,000 annually, with a median salary of $69,800. This translates to approximately $29.85 to $37.98 per hour, depending on experience and location.
These researchers, sometimes called law clerks, may work in law schools, private firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and other settings. Although they are behind the scenes, their efforts often make the difference between winning and losing a case. The salary for a Research Paralegal typically ranges from $62,100 to $79,000, with a median of $69,800.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
