Paralegal Hourly Pay in Post Falls, ID: $23.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Post Falls, ID runs $23.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,210 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Post Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,924 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Paralegals in Post Falls, Idaho, earn a median hourly pay of $23.18, significantly below the national average of $31.30. This moderate salary reflects the dynamics of local law firms, corporate legal departments, and government positions. For part-time paralegals working three days a week, the earning potential can vary, allowing flexibility in balancing personal commitments while still reaping a steady income. Typically, wages range from $17.69 at entry-level to as high as $35.93 for experienced professionals. These hourly rates, derived from annual salary data, suggest that individuals in the profession can find opportunities across various settings, such as law firm cubicles, corporate offices, and remote e-discovery roles, all of which contribute to the overall job market for paralegals in the area.
About the Post Falls 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) | $17.69 | $141.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.17 | $153.36 |
| Median (P50) | $23.18 | $185.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.41 | $227.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.93 | $287.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Post Falls
Based on $23.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.18/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Post Falls, ID can expect to earn approximately $48,206 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,811. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Post Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Post Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $927.04 | $4,017 | $48,206 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.22 | $2,410 | $28,924 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.81 | $1,607 | $19,282 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Post Falls) | $23.18 |
| 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 Post Falls, ID earn a median of $48,210 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.94% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.90% below the Idaho state average of $50,166.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.18/hr = $28,924/year (purchasing power: $30,350).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,206/year (purchasing power: $50,583).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Post Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Post Falls grew 21.6% from $18.42/hr (2019) to $22.39/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.99/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 Post Falls 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 Post Falls
Part-time paralegals working in Post Falls for about 24 hours a week take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts. This translates to around $29,000 annually, which makes part-time positions appealing for those seeking flexibility. In contrast, per diem paralegals often earn more, typically billing at rates ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, depending on their experience and the nature of their assignments. Freelance opportunities, particularly in e-discovery or trial preparation, can yield hourly earnings as high as $90, attracting those who prefer project-based work over consistent employment. Additionally, hourly rates fluctuate based on the type of employer; law firms may offer less than in-house corporate legal departments that provide steady schedules with benefits. Paralegals seeking to negotiate their pay should consider their unique skills, local market demand, and the trade-offs between higher hourly wages and job security with benefits that come from full-time positions.
More salary data for Post Falls, 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 Post Falls. 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 Post Falls 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