Paralegal Hourly Pay in Marshalltown, IA: $26.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Marshalltown, IA runs $26.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,765 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Marshalltown's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,458 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marshalltown, IA, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $26.81 for 2026, significantly below the national median of $31.30 per hour. This lower rate reflects the typical financial landscape in Marshalltown, where paralegals often find opportunities in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. With an entry-level range starting at around $20.07 and top earners reaching up to $41.56 per hour, part-time workers, who typically clock in around 24 hours a week across three days, can expect to earn a respectable income while maintaining flexibility. Paralegals can work in a variety of settings such as law firm cubicles, corporate offices, remote environments, and even during per diem shifts at trial sites, allowing for diverse job experiences within the field.
About the Marshalltown 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) | $20.07 | $160.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.29 | $170.34 |
| Median (P50) | $26.81 | $214.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.63 | $269.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.56 | $332.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Marshalltown
Based on $26.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.81/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Marshalltown, IA can expect to earn approximately $55,763 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,171. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Marshalltown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Marshalltown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,072.36 | $4,647 | $55,763 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $643.42 | $2,788 | $33,458 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $428.95 | $1,859 | $22,305 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Marshalltown) | $26.81 |
| 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 Marshalltown, IA earn a median of $55,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.34% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.80% below the Iowa state average of $58,577.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.81/hr = $33,458/year (purchasing power: $37,011).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,763/year (purchasing power: $61,685).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Marshalltown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Marshalltown grew 21.6% from $21.31/hr (2019) to $25.90/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.75/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 Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown
The potential earnings for part-time paralegals in Marshalltown can lead to an annual income averaging approximately $33,518, while full-time positions yield more substantial salaries. For those considering per diem paralegal pay in Marshalltown, typical contract rates range from $25 to $50 per hour, with specialized roles in e-discovery commanding higher fees that can reach up to $60 per hour. Freelance opportunities often allow paralegals to bill between $40 and $75 per hour, depending on the complexity and nature of the work involved. As paralegal hourly pay differs across employer types, individuals working in BigLaw firms may earn more but often face higher demands. Negotiating for benefits in exchange for potentially lower hourly rates is critical, especially in small firms where health insurance may be less common. When exploring employment opportunities, paralegals should consider their negotiating power and the specific advantages of each job offer in relation to their career objectives.
More salary data for Marshalltown, 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 Marshalltown. 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 Marshalltown 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