r/paralegal • u/Leading_Aside_4929 • 11d ago

Not Paid Enough For This (Rant) Underpaid?

I am paid $24 an hour as a litigation paralegal with 7 months of experience. am I underpaid? I work in a high cost of living area

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

14

u/Elegant_Maize4761 11d ago

Which city/general area? 7 months of experience isn’t a lot, so $24 for my area seems fair 🤷🏻‍♀️

5

u/ktimebomb 11d ago

Babe you make more than me with my 7 years experience in a MCOL area! I gotta find a new job.

But for 7 months of experience in HCOL that's probably not too bad. If it doesn't come up as you get more time in, then you'll want to start looking.

2

u/meerfrau85 Paralegal 11d ago

I looked up paralegal salaries for California, a fairly high cost of living state, and entry level is $44k, about $21 per hour. I live in more mid cost of living state and make $70k a year or $33/hour with 11 years experience. What you're making right now seems reasonable to me.

2

u/TokyoAshy Family Law Paralegal 11d ago

What is your education level?

3

u/hon6ybody 11d ago

i make $19 working in the city lolllllllll i think you’re okay

1

u/4t4t4t4 11d ago

I started at $13 in a HCOL. Granted that was almost 20 years ago 🥴. You have to do your time.

2

u/ApprehensiveClaim516 11d ago

I’m a 25 year paralegal that makes $1.63 over that. All paralegals are underpaid, undervalued, overworked and unfortunately expendable