Paralegal Hourly Pay in Coralville, IA: $26.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Coralville, IA runs $26.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,691 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Coralville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,419 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Coralville, Iowa, the paralegal hourly pay stands at $26.78, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.30. This disparity can impact those seeking part-time or per-diem positions. For a paralegal working three days a week, which typically sums up to about 24 hours, the earnings can still contribute meaningfully to overall financial stability, especially when working in legal environments like law firms or corporate legal departments. The hourly pay in Coralville ranges from $19.77 at the lower end to $41.50 for more experienced practitioners, allowing for a diverse range of opportunities across various workplace settings. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, highlighting how pay can vary significantly based on experience, specialization, and local market dynamics.
About the Coralville 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) | $19.77 | $158.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.54 | $172.32 |
| Median (P50) | $26.78 | $214.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.44 | $259.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.50 | $331.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Coralville
Based on $26.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.78/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Coralville, IA can expect to earn approximately $55,698 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,134. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Coralville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Coralville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,071.12 | $4,642 | $55,698 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $642.67 | $2,785 | $33,419 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $428.45 | $1,857 | $22,279 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Coralville) | $26.78 |
| 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 Coralville, IA earn a median of $55,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.45% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $58,561.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.78/hr = $33,419/year (purchasing power: $36,968).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,698/year (purchasing power: $61,613).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Coralville grew 21.6% from $21.28/hr (2019) to $25.87/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.72/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 Coralville 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 Coralville
Exploring part-time earnings, a paralegal in Coralville can expect to take home approximately $33,438 annually when working part-time at 24 hours per week. In contrast, full-time paralegals, who are often tied to larger law firms, might find themselves billed out at much higher rates—ranging from $25 to $50 per hour in contract work, with e-discovery specialists earning anywhere from $30 to $60. Freelance paralegals serving small businesses might command rates between $40 and $75, and those involved in trial preparations during litigation can see rates from $50 to $90 per hour. It’s important to acknowledge that while some firms offer lower hourly rates with the addition of benefits like health insurance, others may provide higher pay without those perks. Navigating these dynamics and ensuring fair compensation can be critical for paralegals, especially in emphasizing their unique skill sets when negotiating, particularly with firms in Coralville that value specialization.
More salary data for Coralville, 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 Coralville. 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 Coralville 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