Ohio is a Midwest gem for paralegals, thanks to a strong economy that’s backed by a low cost of doing business and growing manufacturing and financial services industries. Ranked among the top states in the nation by Forbes for its quality of life, Ohio enjoys outstanding opportunities in higher education, the arts, and recreation. Just some of the big corporate names in Ohio include Proctor & Gamble, Kroger, Nationwide, and Progressive.
For paralegals, this translates into exceptional opportunities in law firms, company legal departments, the government, and other players in the field of law.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in Ohio
As of May 2020, the average paralegal salary in Ohio was $49,720, or $23.90 per hour. But for those whose experience and specialty legal knowledge allow them to climb the professional ladder, salaries here really take off. During this time, the top 10% of paralegals in Ohio earned about $77,050, or $37.04 per hour, which is about $28,000 more than the state average.
Paralegals are always well-served by becoming proficient in one or more areas of law, such as family law, consumer law, immigration law, or litigation.
As of May 2020, Ohio reported about 10,790 paralegal jobs, which outpaces paralegal jobs in the neighboring states of Kentucky (2,930) and Indiana (4,350).
Average Paralegal Salary in Ohio by City
Columbus, Cincinnati, and Akron all posted average salaries for paralegals that topped the state average, as of May 2020, while Cincinnati, home to major companies like Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, TriHealth, the University of Cincinnati, and UC Health, posted the highest salary at the top 10%.
Akron:
Average – $56,830 ($27.32 hourly)
Top 10% – $82,440 ($39.64 hourly)
Canton-Massillon:
Average – $43,860 ($21.09 hourly)
Top 10% – $62,760 ($30.15 hourly)
Cincinnati:
Average – $58,440 ($28.10 hourly)
Top 10% – $91,550 ($44.01 hourly)
Cleveland-Elyria:
Average – $49,690 ($23.89 hourly)
Top 10% – $74,450 ($35.79 hourly)
Columbus:
Average – $51,000 ($24.52 hourly)
Top 10% – $79,010 ($37.99 hourly)
Dayton:
Average – $41,880 ($20.13 hourly)
Top 10% – $66,750 ($32.09 hourly)
Lima:
Average – $34,540 ($16.61 hourly)
Top 10% – $44,340 ($21.32 hourly)
Springfield:
Average – $38,150 ($18.34 hourly)
Top 10% – $55,280 ($26.58 hourly)
Toledo:
Average – $46,950 ($22.57 hourly)
Top 10% – $72,340 ($34.78 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.