verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Paralegal Salary in Iowa

Median Annual in Iowa
$54,550/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$26.23/hr
▼ 13% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Iowa

groups Employed in IA
2,980
public U.S. Median
$62,890
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$62,157 #33 of 51

Paralegal pay in Iowa, explained

Paralegals in Iowa earn a median of $54,550 per year ($26.23 per hour), which is 13% below the national median of $62,890. Entry-level workers earn around $37,900, while the most experienced paralegals reach about $83,520. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Iowa.

Is $54,550 good pay in Iowa?

Adjusted for Iowa's cost of living (which runs 88% of the U.S. average), that $54,550 is worth about $62,157 in national buying power — ranking Iowa #33 for real pay (vs #44 on the sticker number).

See the full Paralegal Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Paralegal pay by experience in Iowa

Entry level (10th pct)
$37,900
$18.22/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$54,550
$26.23/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$83,520
$40.15/hr

Paralegal pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IA
Iowa (here) $54,550 $62,157
Minnesota $75,570 $76,627 −$21,020
Illinois $63,670 $63,697 −$9,120
Nebraska $63,250 $70,197 −$8,700
Missouri $61,410 $67,619 −$6,860
Wisconsin $58,500 $62,171 −$3,950
South Dakota $58,320 $65,834 −$3,770

Paralegal in Iowa: FAQ

How much do paralegals make in Iowa?

Paralegals in Iowa earn a median of $54,550 per year ($26.23 per hour), compared with $62,890 nationally.

Does Iowa pay paralegals well?

At $54,550, Iowa pays 13% below the national median for paralegals. An estimated 2,980 work in the state.

Paralegal salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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