Paralegal Hourly Pay in Pocatello, ID: $23.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Pocatello, ID runs $23.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,308 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Pocatello's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,988 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 paralegal hourly pay in Pocatello, Idaho, averages $23.23, which falls significantly below the national hourly median of $31.30. This discrepancy indicates the financial realities for paralegals in the area, where part-time positions—typically three days a week—offer earnings that can be modestly sustainable but may not fully support a living wage. In practical terms, working part-time could yield around $29,000 annually, which hardly matches the average cost of living. The hourly range in Pocatello extends from $18.17 for entry-level roles to $37.73 for top earners, reflecting the different levels of experience and specialization found in various legal settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government positions. This official BLS data serves as a foundation for those considering careers in the paralegal field.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.17 | $145.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.46 | $179.69 |
| Median (P50) | $23.23 | $185.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.42 | $251.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.73 | $301.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pocatello
Based on $23.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.23/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pocatello, ID can expect to earn approximately $48,313 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,873. With a cost-of-living index of 88.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pocatello.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pocatello
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $929.11 | $4,026 | $48,313 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $557.46 | $2,416 | $28,988 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.64 | $1,610 | $19,325 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Pocatello) | $23.23 |
| 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 Pocatello, ID earn a median of $48,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.79% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.70% below the Idaho state average of $50,164.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.23/hr = $28,988/year (purchasing power: $32,605).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,313/year (purchasing power: $54,342).
CoL index: 88.906 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Pocatello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Pocatello grew 11.4% from $20.14/hr (2019) to $22.44/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.04/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 Pocatello 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 Pocatello
Exploring the earning potential for part-time paralegals in Pocatello reveals a notable difference compared to full-time counterparts. For instance, a paralegal working 24 hours a week may find annual earnings of approximately $29,000, while full-time employees earn significantly more, pushing towards the median and beyond. Contract work also offers a varied experience, with per-diem paralegal pay in Pocatello generally ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, showcasing a higher earning potential for specialized roles such as e-discovery specialists, who may command rates between $30 and $60 hourly. Various employers, including law firms and corporate legal departments, tend to reflect a wide range of pay scales, impacting decisions for those seeking stability versus those willing to trade salary for benefits. It’s key for paralegals in Pocatello to negotiate effectively based on their skill set and the specifics of their contract work or full-time employment. Skills in high-demand areas, like e-discovery, can significantly enhance their hourly rate and overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Pocatello, 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 Pocatello. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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