What Does a Paralegal Really Cost a Small US Law Firm — and When Does an Offshore Paralegal Make Sense?
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median wage for paralegals and legal assistants at $62,890 a year ($30.24 an hour) as of May 2025. That is before payroll taxes, benefits, space, equipment, recruiting and turnover. A dedicated offshore paralegal from OASIS working full time (2,080 hours) at $12 an hour costs $24,960 a year, all-in. That is $37,930 below the median wage alone. Offshore makes sense for document-heavy work that can be done remotely and reviewed by an attorney. It does not suit work that needs a person in the office or in court.
By OASIS Legal Operations
Last updated
- cost of hiring a paralegal
- virtual paralegal cost
- offshore paralegal rates
- in-house vs outsourced paralegal
- paralegal salary 2026
- dedicated remote paralegal for law firm
Short answer
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median wage for paralegals and legal assistants at $62,890 a year ($30.24 an hour) as of May 2025. That is before payroll taxes, benefits, space, equipment, recruiting and turnover. A dedicated offshore paralegal from OASIS working full time (2,080 hours) at $12 an hour costs $24,960 a year, all-in. That is $37,930 below the median wage alone. Offshore makes sense for document-heavy work that can be done remotely and reviewed by an attorney. It does not suit work that needs a person in the office or in court.
Key takeaways
- Compare the loaded cost of an in-house hire against the all-in hourly rate of a remote one, not wage against rate.
- The BLS projects little or no change in paralegal employment from 2025 to 2035, yet about 40,800 openings a year, mostly from people leaving the role.
- Offshore suits chronologies, summaries, document review, research and drafting. It does not suit court filings in person, client meetings or notarisation.
- Start with a pilot on a real file before committing.
What does an in-house paralegal cost in 2026?
Start with wage. The BLS reports a median of $62,890 a year, or $30.24 an hour (May 2025 data), for paralegals and legal assistants. Wages in major metros such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami or Chicago are often higher; check the BLS figures for your area.
Then add what the wage does not include. Use your own numbers:
Loaded annual cost = wage + employer payroll taxes + health and retirement benefits + office space and equipment + software seats + recruiting + training time + the cost of the seat sitting empty when someone leaves.
What does a dedicated offshore paralegal cost?
OASIS charges $12 an hour, with the first 12 working hours free. There are no separate charges for benefits, space or equipment.
| Arrangement | Hours a year | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full time, dedicated | 2,080 | $24,960 |
| Half time | 1,040 | $12,480 |
| Surge block (for example one trial month) | 160 | $1,920 |
Against the BLS median wage of $62,890, a full-time offshore paralegal costs $37,930 less before any of the in-house overhead is counted.
When does an offshore paralegal make sense?
When the bottleneck is document work that can be reviewed: - medical chronologies and record summaries; - deposition summaries; - first drafts of demand letters, discovery responses and research memos; - document review; - contract abstracts.
It is also a strong fit when volume is uneven. Pay for 160 hours in a trial month and 40 in a quiet one, instead of carrying a full salary through both.
When should you hire in-house instead?
When the job needs presence or local authority: - in-person filings; - court runs; - client intake meetings; - notarisation; - the person who manages your office and calendar on site.
Many boutique firms end up with one strong in-house paralegal who supervises the remote one. That combination usually beats two in-house hires on cost.
What about quality and time zones?
Quality is a supervision question, not a geography question. Ask for: - a named person; - a second-reviewer check on every deliverable; - a short pilot on a real file.
India is 9.5 to 13.5 hours ahead of US time zones, depending on zone and daylight saving. Work sent at the end of a US day can come back by the next morning.
How OASIS prices it
$12 an hour, with the first 12 working hours free on your first engagement. You get a named, law-trained paralegal working only for your firm, under your attorney's supervision. See our LPO pricing guide for how hourly, per-page and retainer models compare.
FAQ
How much does a paralegal cost per hour in the US?
The BLS median for paralegals and legal assistants is $30.24 an hour (May 2025), before benefits and overhead.
How much does a virtual paralegal cost?
Offshore rates vary by provider. OASIS charges $12 an hour for a dedicated, law-trained paralegal, with the first 12 working hours free.
Is an offshore paralegal cheaper than a US contract paralegal?
Usually, yes, on hourly rate. Compare total cost, including your supervision time and the cost of rework.
Can a remote paralegal work only for my firm?
Yes, if you contract for a dedicated arrangement. OASIS assigns a named paralegal who works only on your firm's matters.
Sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Paralegals and Legal Assistants
- OASIS Ecosystem, Legal Process Outsourcing (pricing)
ADD-ON — COST ASSUMPTION: The table shows hours multiplied by $12, before the first-engagement allowance of 12 free working hours. It is an illustrative cost comparison, not a guaranteed saving; attorney supervision costs are not included.
Related services and reading
View specimen: Document Review Set: Haskell v. Pelican Bend
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