Paralegal Hourly Pay in Boise, ID: $25.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Boise, ID runs $25.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,989 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Boise's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,197 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Boise, Idaho, paralegals can expect a median hourly rate of $25.00 in 2026, a figure that contrasts sharply with the national median of $31.30. This hourly wage is significant for part-time workers, who typically log about 24 hours a week, allowing them to earn roughly $1,200 per month while providing a balance between professional responsibilities and personal commitments. Per-diem paralegals operating in a variety of settings, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and even government offices, will find that their hourly pay ranges from $16.28 for entry-level positions up to a notable $38.74 for experienced professionals. As much of the data is derived from projected annual salaries, this hourly rate reflects the growing demands and variations in the role, especially in specialized fields like e-discovery or trial preparation.
About the Boise Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.28 | $130.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.86 | $150.88 |
| Median (P50) | $25.00 | $199.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.99 | $255.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.74 | $309.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boise
Based on $25.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.00/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boise, ID can expect to earn approximately $51,995 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,997. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Boise.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boise
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $999.91 | $4,333 | $51,995 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $599.94 | $2,600 | $31,197 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $399.96 | $1,733 | $20,798 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Boise) | $25.00 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Boise, ID earn a median of $51,989 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.14% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.70% above the Idaho state average of $50,134.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.00/hr = $31,197/year (purchasing power: $32,736).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,995/year (purchasing power: $54,559).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Boise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Boise grew 21.6% from $19.87/hr (2019) to $24.15/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.88/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Boise
Considering a part-time paralegal's potential earnings, working three days a week translates into an annual take-home significantly lower than that of full-time counterparts, emphasizing the importance of leveraging additional freelance or contract opportunities. Many paralegals pursue contract work that can command rates between $25 and $50 per hour; specialists in e-discovery can earn between $30 and $60 hourly, while trial preparation paralegals may see rates as high as $50 to $90 during active litigation phases. These variations highlight how hourly rates differ by employer type, with BigLaw firms typically offering more but demanding longer hours, while corporate positions might provide more stability and benefits, albeit at a lower rate. Negotiation is key in Boise's market—paralegals would be wise to consider their full compensation package carefully, deciding whether a higher hourly rate without benefits, or a moderate one with health insurance, aligns better with their career goals.
More salary data for Boise, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Boise. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Boise is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov