Paralegals and Legal Assistants, Columbus

$60,430

Local median annual wage in Columbus, OH. Middle half of earners roughly $59,450 to $78,200.

Local salary guide, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. Cost of living index (2024). Sources stay in methodology · disclaimer.

vs US median
−3.9%
US median
$62,890
Cost of living (95.5) Based on U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data. Scores over 100 mean a city is more expensive than the U.S. national average.
95.5
Local pay range The middle 50% of earners in this city make between these amounts, based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys.
$59,450 to $78,200
Local jobs in field Approximate number of people working in this role locally, not a count of open positions.
2,260
Job code
23-2011

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Columbus pay a median $60,430 (May 2025), 3.9% below the US median of $62,890. At local prices (index 95.5), that median buys about what $63,277 buys at US-average prices.

What that pay buys

$60,430 in Columbus buys about what $63,277 buys at US-average prices (cost of living index 95.5, 2024). Housing & rent index is 87.9 vs overall 95.5 (US average = 100, 2024).

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in nearby metros

Metro Median Local pay range Cost of living
Columbus $60,430 $59,450 to $78,200 95.5
Grand Rapids $62,370 $49,360 to $78,900 95.5
San Francisco $84,030 $74,050 to $103,060 115.6
Tulsa $50,740 $37,770 to $61,900 89.2

Local salary guide May 2025 where published for the metro.

FAQ

What is the median salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Columbus?
The median annual wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Columbus, OH is $60,430 (May 2025 local salary guide).
How does Columbus pay compare to the US median for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Local median pay is 3.9% below the national median of $62,890.
How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
The cost of living index for Columbus is 95.5 (US average = 100, 2024). The local median of $60,430 has about the same buying power as $63,277 at US-average prices.
How current is this data?
Wages use the local salary guide for May 2025. Price levels use the 2024 cost of living index. See methodology for source details.

What this covers

Includes

  • Cost of living index for everyday expenses (housing, groceries & goods, services)
  • Local salary guide: median pay, typical pay range, and jobs in the field where published
  • Target salary math so you keep the same standard of living after a move
  • Approximate single-filer state income tax take-home on compare pages (see rate sources on the page)

Does not include

  • Local city taxes, credits, filing-status variants, or tax advice
  • Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
  • Job openings. “Local jobs in field” is how many people work in the role, not hiring demand

Technical source names (RPP, OEWS) and formulas live on the methodology page.

Local pay figures and cost of living indexes come from official government surveys. See methodology and disclaimer.