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Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Modesto, CA

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$58,820

Mean: $64,150

~$45,880 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$28.28

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

A

Very affordable

Affordability score: 87/100

Monthly surplus

$1,354/mo

Savings rate

35%

Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Modesto, CA — median $58,820/year, range $54,590-$75,570

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$54,590

Median

$58,820

75th %

$75,570

Median is in the 20th percentile of the typical range

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in other CA cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in CA.

About Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries in Modesto, CA

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Modesto, CA earn a median of $58,820 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $64,150, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most paralegals and legal assistants in this area earn between $54,590 and $75,570. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $28.28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

5% growthAs fast as average (BLS 2024–2034)

This occupation is tracking close to the national average for job growth. Openings come from a mix of new positions and people retiring or changing careers, with regional variation depending on local industry mix.

Worth knowing: Staying current with industry certifications and picking up adjacent skills (data literacy, project management, or automation tools) is the most reliable way to earn above median in this field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a paralegals and legal assistants in Modesto?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $58,820. The average (mean) is $64,150, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a paralegals and legal assistants make per hour in Modesto?

About $28.28/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for paralegals and legal assistants in Modesto?

The middle 50% earn between $54,590 and $75,570. Below $54,590 is typically entry-level; above $75,570 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $58,820 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$58,820$45,880
Monthly$4,902$3,823
Biweekly$2,262$1,765
Weekly$1,131$882
Hourly (40h/wk)$28.28$22.06
Hourly (35h/wk)$32.32$25.21
Hourly (30h/wk)$37.71$29.41
Daily (8h)$226$176

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for paralegals and legal assistants, based on BLS median salary data.

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