As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Paralegal II in the United States is $80,912 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Paralegal II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI-Powered Talent
A Paralegal II'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 Paralegal II'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegal I | 0-2 years | $68,916 |
| Paralegal II | 2-4 years | $80,912 |
| Paralegal III | 4-7 years | $93,342 |
| Paralegal IV | 7+ years | $116,787 |
| Paralegal V | 7-10 years | $149,716 |
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 Paralegal IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | 3.94% |
| Microsoft Word | 2.2% |
| Corporate Governance | 1.1% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Intellectual Property
|
$89,003 |
10%
|
|
Contract Management
|
$85,767 |
6%
|
|
Corporate Governance
|
$84,958 |
5%
|
|
Leadership
|
$84,958 |
5%
|
|
Due Diligence
|
$84,148 |
4%
|
|
Project Management
|
$84,148 |
4%
|
Paralegal II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $90,499. While startup companies pay approximate $76,535.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $76,535 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $80,948 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $87,394 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $90,499 |
For Paralegal II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 55% above the average. In contrast, Paralegal positions in MFG Nondurable or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Paralegal II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $125,414 | $60.0 | 55% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $117,322 | $56.0 | 45% |
| Energy & Utilities | $109,231 | $53.0 | 35% |
| Biotechnology | $105,186 | $51.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $97,094 | $47.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Paralegal IIs 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 Paralegal II with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $76,463 and $81,364).
Paralegal II Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 16.5% |
| Associates | 24.5% |
| Bachelors | 49.4% |
| Masters | 5.3% |
| Doctorate | 4.1% |
Understanding how a Paralegal II'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 July 01, 2026For a Paralegal II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Paralegal III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $93,342 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.
Salaries for a Paralegal II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $75,748 in 2023 to around $75,495 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Paralegal II salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $75,748 |
| 2024 | $75,812 |
| 2025 | $75,495 |
| 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 Paralegal II and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Paralegal II 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.
A Paralegal II's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Paralegal II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Paralegal II is $102,054.
The highest pay for Paralegal II is $99,843.
The lowest pay for Paralegal II is $66,587.
Assists and supports attorneys with research and document preparation for court proceedings and legal transactions. Utilizes a variety of sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes to research and analyze legal topics. Drafts and edits legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, motions, and contracts. Conducts fact-finding, data collection, and analysis used to prepare statements and arguments. Assists attorneys with depositions, interviews, discovery, and investigations. Manages, organizes, and archives documents with software tools and technology. Applies specialized legal terminology appropriately in documents. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically requires Paralegal Certification. Typically reports to an attorney. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience.
The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Paralegal II roles, with salaries approximately 55% above the market median.
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:
