Paralegal Hourly Pay in Caldwell, ID: $24.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Caldwell, ID runs $24.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,550 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Caldwell's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,332 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Caldwell, Idaho, offers a projected paralegal hourly rate of $24.30 in 2026, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $31.30. This hourly pay can significantly influence part-time paralegals working three days a week, typically earning around $24.30 for 24 hours of work, equating to approximately $25,000 annually. The hourly range for paralegals in Caldwell spans from $16.40 at the entry level (10th percentile) to $37.67 for top earners (90th percentile). Law firms, corporate legal departments, and various legal support environments, inclusive of remote e-discovery review settings, rely on these hourly rates, making them a critical factor for those pursuing part-time or per-diem opportunities in this field.
About the Caldwell 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) | $16.40 | $131.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.06 | $160.48 |
| Median (P50) | $24.30 | $194.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.51 | $244.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.67 | $301.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Caldwell
Based on $24.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.30/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Caldwell, ID can expect to earn approximately $50,553 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,165. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Caldwell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Caldwell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $972.17 | $4,213 | $50,553 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $583.30 | $2,528 | $30,332 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.87 | $1,685 | $20,221 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Caldwell) | $24.30 |
| 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 Caldwell, ID earn a median of $50,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.35% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.80% above the Idaho state average of $50,149.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.30/hr = $30,332/year (purchasing power: $31,827).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,553/year (purchasing power: $53,046).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Caldwell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Caldwell grew 21.6% from $19.32/hr (2019) to $23.48/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.16/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 Caldwell 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 Caldwell
For part-time paralegals in Caldwell, accepting a position working three days a week can lead to unique financial dynamics. These professionals might take home around $25,000 annually, which is a stark contrast to full-time counterparts enjoying the stability of a regular paycheck. In contrast, per-diem or agency paralegal roles often command higher rates, typically ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, with e-discovery specialists and freelance corporate paralegals earning between $30 and $75 per hour, depending on their expertise. Employer types in Caldwell can play a significant role in determining hourly pay, with larger firms and in-house departments often offering more competitive wages than public sector or smaller entities. The trade-off for benefits is also essential; some paralegals opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and paid time off, while others prefer higher hourly compensation without benefits. Negotiation strategies can be pivotal for hourly workers in Caldwell, emphasizing the importance of research on current local pay trends and articulating unique skills and experiences on the job market.
More salary data for Caldwell, 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 Caldwell. 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 Caldwell 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