Paralegals and Legal Assistants, San Diego
$76,300
Local median annual wage in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA. Middle half of earners roughly $59,410 to $98,260.
Local salary guide, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. Cost of living index (2024). Sources stay in methodology · disclaimer.
- vs US median
- +21.3%
- US median
- $62,890
- Cost of living (111.9) Based on U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data. Scores over 100 mean a city is more expensive than the U.S. national average.
- 111.9
- 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.
- $59,410 to $98,260
- Local jobs in field Approximate number of people working in this role locally, not a count of open positions.
- 4,440
- Job code
- 23-2011
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in San Diego pay a median $76,300 (May 2025), 21.3% above the US median of $62,890. At local prices (index 111.9), that median buys about what $68,186 buys at US-average prices.
What that pay buys
$76,300 in San Diego buys about what $68,186 buys at US-average prices (cost of living index 111.9, 2024). Housing & rent index is 179.3 vs overall 111.9 (US average = 100, 2024).
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See current openings for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in San Diego.
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Paralegals and Legal Assistants in nearby metros
| Metro | Median | Local pay range | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $76,300 | $59,410 to $98,260 | 111.9 |
| New York | $75,330 | $61,040 to $97,720 | 112.6 |
| 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 San Diego?
- The median annual wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $76,300 (May 2025 local salary guide).
- How does San Diego pay compare to the US median for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
- Local median pay is 21.3% above the national median of $62,890.
- How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
- The cost of living index for San Diego is 111.9 (US average = 100, 2024). The local median of $76,300 has about the same buying power as $68,186 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.