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Paralegal V Salary in the United States

How much does a Paralegal V make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Paralegal V in the United States is $149,724 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $164,431
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $140,591 to $157,422
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $132,276
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Paralegal V Salaries

A Paralegal V'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Paralegal V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Paralegal V'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:

  • Paralegal III (4-7 years): $93,351
  • Paralegal IV (7+ years): $116,794
  • Paralegal V (7-10 years): $149,724
  • Paralegal Supervisor (10+ years): $93,801
  • Paralegal Manager (10+ years): $119,523
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Paralegal III4-7 years$93,351
Paralegal IV7+ years$116,794
Paralegal V7-10 years$149,724
Paralegal Supervisor10+ years$93,801
Paralegal Manager10+ years$119,523
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How Do Paralegal Vs 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 Paralegal Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $165,774.
  • California: $165,146.
  • Massachusetts: $162,945.

Top Paying Cities for Paralegal V

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: $188,847
  • San Francisco: $186,779
  • Oakland: $182,843

Paralegal V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Paralegal V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $167,607. While startup companies pay approximate $141,792.

Paralegal V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $141,792
Growth Stage 51~500 $149,962
Established 501~5000 $161,855
Enterprise 5000+ $167,607

Paralegal V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Paralegal V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Paralegal positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Paralegal V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Paralegal V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$239,558$115.060%
Financial Services$224,586$108.050%
Pharmaceuticals$209,614$101.040%
Biotechnology$194,641$94.030%
Internet$179,669$86.020%

Paralegal V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Paralegal V'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 August 01, 2026
$140,591
Average $149,724/year
$157,422
$11,716
Average $12,477/month
$13,119
$2,704
Average $2,879/week
$3,027
$68
Average $72/hour
$76
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $157,422 $13,119 $3,027 $76
Average $149,724 $12,477 $2,879 $72
25th Percentile $140,591 $11,716 $2,704 $68

Paralegal V Salary Growth & Career Path

Paralegal V

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Advancement

For a Paralegal V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Paralegal Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $93,801 - a projected growth of -37% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Paralegal V

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

Common company salaries for Paralegal V

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

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FAQ about Paralegal V

1. Where can a Paralegal V earn the most?

A Paralegal V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Paralegal V is $188,847.

2. What is the highest pay for Paralegal V?

The highest pay for Paralegal V is $164,431.

3. What is the lowest pay for Paralegal V?

The lowest pay for Paralegal V is $132,276.

4. What are the responsibilities of Paralegal V?

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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Paralegal V?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Paralegal V roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

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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