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Research Paralegal I Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Paralegal I make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Paralegal I in the United States is $69,000 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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,373
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,100 to $76,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,818
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Research Paralegal I Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Research Paralegal Salaries?

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:

  • Research Paralegal I (0-2 years): $68,929
  • Research Paralegal II (2-4 years): $80,936
  • Research Paralegal III (4-7 years): $93,369
  • Research Paralegal IV (7+ years): $116,808
  • Research Paralegal V (7-10 years): $149,741
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Research Paralegal I0-2 years$68,929
Research Paralegal II2-4 years$80,936
Research Paralegal III4-7 years$93,369
Research Paralegal IV7+ years$116,808
Research Paralegal V7-10 years$149,741
View as Graph

How Do Research Paralegal I Salaries Vary from State to State?

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:
  • District of Columbia: $76,400.
  • California: $76,100.
  • Massachusetts: $75,100.

Top Paying Cities for Research Paralegal Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $87,000
  • San Francisco: $86,000
  • Oakland: $84,200

What Skills Can Increase a Research Paralegal I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Scheduling (Mentioned in 3.97% Job Postings): Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.
  • Microsoft Word (Mentioned in 2.28% Job Postings): Microsoft Word or MS Word is a popular word-processing program used mainly for creating documents, such as brochures, letters, learning activities, quizzes, tests, and students' homework assignments
  • Adobe (Mentioned in 1.13% Job Postings): A mixture of wet earth and grass made into bricks and dried in the sun, used to build houses. It originated from the oral form of Arabic al-tob, meaning "brick," It is the first materials used to create buildings in the 8th century B.C
Skills Demand Percentage
Scheduling 3.97%
Microsoft Word 2.28%
Adobe 1.13%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Research Paralegal I's salary.

  • Corporate Governance: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Intellectual Property: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Corporate Governance $75,210
9%
Intellectual Property $74,520
8%
Leadership $73,830
7%
Get Latest Data

Research Paralegal I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Research Paralegal I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $77,031. While startup companies pay approximate $65,226.

Research Paralegal I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,226
Growth Stage 51~500 $68,968
Established 501~5000 $74,380
Enterprise 5000+ $77,031

Research Paralegal I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research Paralegal I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Research Paralegal positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Paralegal I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research Paralegal I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$86,250$41.025%
Aerospace & Defense$82,800$40.020%
Energy & Utilities$79,350$38.015%
Chemicals$75,900$36.010%
Internet$75,900$36.010%

How Education impacts a Research Paralegal I's Salary?

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

Typical Education for Research Paralegal I
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%
View as Graph

Research Paralegal I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 October 01, 2026
$62,100
Average $69,000/year
$76,000
$5,175
Average $5,750/month
$6,333
$1,194
Average $1,327/week
$1,462
$30
Average $33/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,000 $6,333 $1,462 $37
Average $69,000 $5,750 $1,327 $33
25th Percentile $62,100 $5,175 $1,194 $30

Research Paralegal I Salary Growth & Career Path

Research Paralegal I

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Advancement

For 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 $81,000 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Research Paralegal I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Research Paralegal I

Here are companies hiring for Research Paralegal I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Research Paralegal I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Research Paralegal I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Paralegal I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much do legal researchers make in the US?

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.

3. What is the highest paying job in research?

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.

4. Do paralegals write briefs?

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.

5. What is a legal researcher called?

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.

6. How much do legal researchers make in the US?

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.

7. What is a legal researcher called?

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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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