upper level job

Research Paralegal Supervisor Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Paralegal Supervisor in the United States is $93,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

However, a Research Paralegal Supervisor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $118,354
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,500 to $106,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,210

Key Factors That Influence Research Paralegal Supervisor Salaries

A Research Paralegal Supervisor'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 Supervisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research Paralegal Supervisor'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 III (4-7 years): $93,360
  • Research Paralegal IV (7+ years): $116,801
  • Research Paralegal V (7-10 years): $149,732
  • Research Paralegal Supervisor (10+ years): $93,809
  • Research Paralegal Manager (10+ years): $119,525
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Research Paralegal III4-7 years$93,360
Research Paralegal IV7+ years$116,801
Research Paralegal V7-10 years$149,732
Research Paralegal Supervisor10+ years$93,809
Research Paralegal Manager10+ years$119,525

How Do Research Paralegal Supervisor 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 Supervisors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $103,900.
  • California: $103,500.
  • Massachusetts: $102,100.

Top Paying Cities for Research Paralegal Supervisors

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: $118,400
  • San Francisco: $117,100
  • Oakland: $114,600

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.05% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Adobe (Mentioned in 2.41% 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
  • Document Management (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): Capturing, tracking, storing, and retrieving digital information to organize files, improve accuracy, and provide easy access to documents.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.05%
Adobe 2.41%
Document Management 1.2%

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 Supervisor's salary.

  • Career Development: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Support Services: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Career Development $107,985
15%
Support Services $106,107
13%
Process Improvement $106,107
13%

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

Research Paralegal Supervisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $104,937. While startup companies pay approximate $88,766.

Research Paralegal Supervisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $88,766
Growth Stage 51~500 $93,879
Established 501~5000 $101,330
Enterprise 5000+ $104,937

Research Paralegal Supervisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research Paralegal Supervisor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Hospitality & Leisure and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Research Paralegal Supervisor positions in Insurance or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Paralegal Supervisor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research Paralegal Supervisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$117,375$56.025%
Construction$112,680$54.020%
Software & Networking$110,802$53.018%
Financial Services$107,985$52.015%
Pharmaceuticals$105,168$51.012%

How Education impacts a Research Paralegal Supervisor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Paralegal Supervisors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Supervisor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $100,613 and $109,422).

Research Paralegal Supervisor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research Paralegal Supervisor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 11.1%
High School 11.1%
Associates 11.1%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 11.1%
Doctorate 16.7%

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

Understanding how a Research Paralegal Supervisor'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 September 01, 2026
$81,500
Average $93,900/year
$106,700
$6,792
Average $7,825/month
$8,892
$1,567
Average $1,806/week
$2,052
$39
Average $45/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $106,700 $8,892 $2,052 $51
Average $93,900 $7,825 $1,806 $45
25th Percentile $81,500 $6,792 $1,567 $39

Research Paralegal Supervisor Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Research Paralegal Supervisor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Research Paralegal Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $119,530 - a projected growth of 27% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Research Paralegal Supervisor

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

Common company salaries for Research Paralegal Supervisor

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

Find Your Next Research Paralegal Supervisor Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Paralegal Supervisor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Research Paralegal Supervisor

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

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Paralegal Supervisor roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. What is higher than a paralegal?

Lawyers are higher than paralegals in terms of training, responsibilities, and compensation. While paralegals earn between $92,300 and $123,300, lawyers typically earn significantly more due to their advanced qualifications and ability to represent clients in legal matters. Paralegals assist lawyers with research, document preparation, and client communications.

3. How much does a research Supervisor make?

A Research Paralegal Supervisor typically earns between $92,300 and $123,300 annually, with a median salary of $106,400. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, with top-paying cities like San Francisco offering around $115,791 per year. This reflects the demand and expertise required for this role in various regions.

4. How much do senior paralegals make in NYC?

As of now, the salary for a Research Paralegal Supervisor in New York City ranges from $92,300 to $123,300 annually, with a midpoint of $106,400. This translates to approximately $44.39 to $59.25 per hour, or $7,692 to $10,275 monthly.

5. Do paralegals make 6 figures?

Paralegals typically do not make six figures, as their salaries generally range from $92,300 to $123,300. The median salary for a Research Paralegal Supervisor is around $106,400, which is close to six figures but not quite there. While some experienced paralegals may earn higher, most fall below the six-figure mark.

6. Is supervisor a high position?

In many organizations, a supervisor role can be considered a high-level non-management position, especially when it commands a salary range of $92,300 to $123,300. While some supervisors may share tasks with their team, they often hold significant responsibilities and influence within their departments, reflecting their importance in the organizational hierarchy.

7. What is the highest paying paralegal?

The highest paying paralegal position is the Research Paralegal Supervisor, with a salary range from $92,300 to $123,300, and a midpoint of $106,400. This role typically offers competitive compensation compared to other paralegal positions, making it a lucrative career choice for those in the legal field.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job