Ranked by WalletHub as the seventh best in the nation in 2021, Maryland’s economy is robust, dynamic, and diverse. The leading forces behind the economic vitality of Maryland include such high-paying industries as IT, telecommunications, aerospace/defense, and biotech. And while law firms and governmental agencies represent the top employers for paralegals, corporate legal departments in these industries aren’t far behind.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in Maryland
As of May 2020, the average salary for paralegals in Maryland was $56,710, or $27.27 per hour, closely mirroring the national average salary of $56,610 for these professionals. During this period, the number of paralegals jobs in Maryland totaled 6,780, which surpassed Washington D.C.’s total of 5,870 jobs.
Maryland’s paralegal profession is one that’s rich in opportunities for advancement. With the right education and experience, particularly in a specialty area of law like family law, immigration law, intellectual property law, or international law, it’s possible to earn a salary that far exceeds the state’s average. The top 10% of all paralegals in Maryland earned about $80,320, or $38.62 per hour, as of May 2020, which is about $24,000 more annually than the state average.
Average Paralegal Salary in Maryland by City
The metro areas of Baltimore-Columbia-Towson and Hagerstown-Martinsburg stood out for their top pay of paralegals, as of May 2020. Paralegal salaries in the Baltimore metro area are supported by the presence of major corporations like John Hopkins Medical Institutions, Verizon, Constellation Energy Group, Bank of America, and T. Rowe Price
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson:
Average – $57,730 ($27.75 hourly)
Top 10% – $78,680 ($37.83 hourly)
California-Lexington Park:
Average – $54,470 ($26.19 hourly)
Top 10% – $70,060 ($33.68 hourly)
Hagerstown-Martinsburg:
Average – $59,540 ($28.62 hourly)
Top 10% – $80,860 ($38.87 hourly)
Salisbury:
Average – $45,370 ($21.81 hourly)
Top 10% – $67,630 ($32.51 hourly)
May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, growth, and job market trends for paralegals and legal assistants. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2021.