Paralegal Hourly Pay in Ankeny, IA: $27.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Ankeny, IA runs $27.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,900 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Ankeny's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,142 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ankeny, Iowa, the paralegal hourly pay is projected at $27.36 for 2026, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This discrepancy may influence part-time paralegals working three days a week in various settings, from law firms to corporate legal departments, or those engaged in per-diem assignments. Entry-level paralegals can expect to earn about $19.85 per hour, while top earners in the field may earn up to $42.40 per hour, illustrating the potential for significant income variations based on experience and specific roles. As these hourly rates are extracted from annual salary estimates, it's essential for those in the profession to consider how many hours they plan to work each week and their potential earnings in a typical legal environment.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.85 | $158.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.99 | $175.88 |
| Median (P50) | $27.36 | $218.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.02 | $280.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.40 | $339.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ankeny
Based on $27.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.36/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ankeny, IA can expect to earn approximately $56,904 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,829. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ankeny.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ankeny
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,094.31 | $4,742 | $56,904 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $656.58 | $2,845 | $34,142 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.72 | $1,897 | $22,762 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Ankeny) | $27.36 |
| 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 Ankeny, IA earn a median of $56,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.59% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $58,540.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.36/hr = $34,142/year (purchasing power: $37,768).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,904/year (purchasing power: $62,947).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Ankeny grew 21.6% from $21.74/hr (2019) to $26.43/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.32/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 Ankeny 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 Ankeny
A paralegal who opts for a part-time schedule of 24 hours per week might take home significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, a part-time paralegal working at the hourly rate could expect to earn around $34,200, while those in full-time roles might see figures surpassing $56,900 annually. On the contract side, per diem paralegal pay in Ankeny varies widely, with typical billing rates ranging from $25 to $50 per hour for general assignments, while specialized roles such as e-discovery professionals may command $30 to $60 per hour. Contract work offers flexibility but often lacks benefits like health insurance, meaning individuals may accept lower pay for greater financial security. Understanding the hourly pay differences between employer types in Ankeny—ranging from BigLaw firms to public defender offices—can empower paralegals to negotiate effectively, balancing hourly compensation against the benefits provided by full-time roles.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
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 Ankeny. 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 Ankeny 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