Paralegal Hourly Pay in Sioux City, IA: $27.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Sioux City, IA runs $27.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,069 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Sioux City's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,840 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux City, Iowa, the projected median hourly pay for paralegals in 2026 is $27.92, which falls below the national median of $31.30. This rate significantly impacts part-time and per-diem workers, who may find employment across various settings such as law firm cubicles, corporate legal offices, or even remotely in e-discovery environments. Paralegals can expect to earn between $18.78 and $38.37 per hour, with entry-level positions typically starting at around $18.78 while experienced professionals may command rates closer to $38.37. Such pay structures represent opportunities that can fluctuate based on expertise, type of employer, and the specific demands of different legal environments.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.78 | $150.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.02 | $192.20 |
| Median (P50) | $27.92 | $223.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.18 | $249.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.37 | $306.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux City
Based on $27.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.92/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux City, IA can expect to earn approximately $58,067 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,500. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,116.67 | $4,839 | $58,067 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $670.00 | $2,903 | $34,840 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $446.67 | $1,936 | $23,227 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Sioux City) | $27.92 |
| 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 Sioux City, IA earn a median of $58,069 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.80% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.80% below the Iowa state average of $58,537.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.92/hr = $34,840/year (purchasing power: $40,299).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,067/year (purchasing power: $67,165).
CoL index: 86.454 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Sioux City grew 11.7% from $24.14/hr (2019) to $26.97/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.90/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 Sioux City 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 Sioux City
Over the course of a 24-hour workweek, a paralegal working three days can anticipate an annual income that diverges from full-time earnings due to reduced hours. In Sioux City, per-diem paralegal pay typically varies, with contract workers earning anywhere from $25 to $50 per hour, while e-discovery specialists can request rates between $30 and $60 per hour. Freelance corporate paralegals often earn between $40 to $75 per hour, with trial prep paralegals in high-demand litigation situations averaging rates from $50 to $90 per hour. When evaluating employer types, paralegals in larger law firms may encounter higher hourly rates compared to those in smaller boutique firms or government positions, which often provide benefits but may pay less per hour. Negotiating terms can be advantageous; paralegals should assess both hourly rates and the benefits package offered, which can impact overall job satisfaction and financial stability.
More salary data for Sioux City, 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 Sioux City. 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