Paralegal Hourly Pay in Cedar Rapids, IA: $28.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Cedar Rapids, IA runs $28.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,435 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Cedar Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.0, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,667 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Paralegal hourly pay in Cedar Rapids reflects a median rate of $28.58, which sits below the national median of $31.30. This disparity suggests that while paralegals in Cedar Rapids earn a competitive wage, they may need to seek opportunities that include part-time positions or per-diem assignments to maximize their earnings and work flexibility. Available work environments for paralegals in this area typically include law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies, where they can expect to see hourly rates ranging from $18.86 for entry-level positions to $38.25 for those at the higher end of the scale. These figures are based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections for 2026, which capture the range of pay across different experience levels in the paralegal profession.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.86 | $150.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.64 | $189.13 |
| Median (P50) | $28.58 | $228.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.64 | $253.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.25 | $305.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Rapids
Based on $28.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.58/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Rapids, IA can expect to earn approximately $59,445 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,295. With a cost-of-living index of 88.96 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,143.16 | $4,954 | $59,445 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.90 | $2,972 | $35,667 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.27 | $1,981 | $23,778 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Cedar Rapids) | $28.58 |
| 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 Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $59,435 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.70% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.50% above the Iowa state average of $58,557.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.58/hr = $35,667/year (purchasing power: $40,092).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,445/year (purchasing power: $66,819).
CoL index: 88.963 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Cedar Rapids grew 20.4% from $22.94/hr (2019) to $27.61/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.58/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 Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids
Analyzing the earnings potential for paralegals working part-time in Cedar Rapids reveals a significant income difference between full-time and part-time employment. A paralegal working three days a week could take home an annual salary reflecting their reduced hours, which may be appealing for those seeking work-life balance. In contrast, per-diem paralegals typically see billing rates ranging from $25 to $75 per hour, depending on the specific nature of their assignments, with trial prep specialists earning as much as $90 per hour during crucial litigation phases. Rates can significantly fluctuate based on the employer type, with law firms generally offering lower pay compared to corporate in-house positions and freelance opportunities. It's noteworthy that some paralegals accept lower hourly rates with firms offering benefits like health insurance and paid time off, while others opt for higher pay without benefits to maintain flexibility. Practical negotiation strategies, particularly in Cedar Rapids, could involve highlighting relevant experience or specialized skills in e-discovery to secure a competitive edge in discussions around pay.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids. 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