One of only 14 states to hold an AAA bond rating (2024) and home to several Fortune 500 companies, 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 2024, the average salary for paralegals in Maryland was $69,520, or $33.43 per hour, coming in above the national average salary of $66,510 for these professionals. During this period, the number of paralegals jobs in Maryland totaled 5,770, on par with metro Washington D.C.’s total of 5,880 paralegal 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 paralegals in Maryland earned a salary that starts at $99,520, or $47.84 per hour, as of May 2024, which is $30,000 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 2024. 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:
- Average – $70,630 ($33.96 hourly)
- Top 10% – $94,010 ($45.20 hourly)
Hagerstown:
- Average – $68,080 ($32.73 hourly)
- Top 10% – $92,890 ($44.66 hourly)
Lexington:
- Average – $66,470 ($31.96 hourly)
- Top 10% – $103,090 ($49.56 hourly)
Salisbury:
- Average – $60,720 ($29.19 hourly)
- Top 10% – $93,410 ($44.91 hourly)
Rural Maryland:
- Average – $54,950 ($26.42 hourly)
- Top 10% – $77,890 ($37.45 hourly)
May 2024 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 May 2025.