Paralegal Hourly Pay in Moline, IL: $28.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Moline, IL runs $28.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,078 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Moline's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,041 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegal hourly pay in Moline, Illinois, stands at a median of $28.88, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $31.30. This rate is significant for part-time workers, typically contributing about 24 hours a week, who can expect to earn around $694 weekly before taxes. Paralegals often work in various environments, from law firm cubicles to corporate offices and courtrooms, where their roles may require flexibility. For those at the entry level, hourly wages begin at approximately $20.83, while more experienced professionals can earn upwards of $44.16, allowing a broad range of earnings based on skills and experience. All these hourly figures have been estimated based on annual salary data from 2025, projecting the expected dynamics of the career in 2026.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.83 | $166.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.08 | $184.66 |
| Median (P50) | $28.88 | $231.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.32 | $290.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.16 | $353.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Moline
Based on $28.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.88/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Moline, IL can expect to earn approximately $60,069 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,655. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Moline.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Moline
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,155.17 | $5,006 | $60,069 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $693.10 | $3,003 | $36,041 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $462.07 | $2,002 | $24,028 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Moline) | $28.88 |
| 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 Moline, IL earn a median of $60,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.71% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.20% below the Illinois state average of $62,064.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.88/hr = $36,041/year (purchasing power: $37,118).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,069/year (purchasing power: $61,863).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Moline grew 21.6% from $22.95/hr (2019) to $27.90/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.89/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 Moline 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 Moline
Independent work options also present intriguing earning prospects in Moline. A part-time paralegal working three days a week may face reduced overall income compared to full-time counterparts, making the decision to pursue contract work appealing. For per-diem paralegals, hourly rates can vary significantly; while general contract positions may pay between $25 and $50 per hour, specialized roles, especially in e-discovery, can reach $30 to $60 per hour. Freelance paralegals servicing corporate entities often command rates between $40 and $75, while those engaged in trial preparation can draw more substantial pay of $50 to $90 per hour. The diverse employer types in Moline—from small law firms to in-house corporate legal teams—affect pay consistency and benefits. Paralegals deciding between hourly wages with benefits at larger firms versus higher pay without benefits in freelance work must weigh their priorities. Negotiating effectively, especially for roles that require specific legal knowledge or certifications, can result in significantly better hourly compensation and job satisfaction in this evolving field.
More salary data for Moline, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Moline in 2026?
How much do part-time paralegals make in Moline?
Are paralegals in Moline paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Moline?
Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Moline?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Moline. 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 Moline 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