Paralegal Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $26.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Urbandale, IA runs $26.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,942 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,561 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, Iowa, paralegals earn a median hourly rate of $26.89, significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. This pay structure affects various working arrangements, making it an important consideration for part-time employees and per-diem workers in law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices. For instance, a paralegal working part-time, say three days a week, may focus on administrative tasks or assist with legal research in bustling environments ranging from law firm cubicles to court filing windows. Hourly rates for paralegals in this area vary widely, with entry-level positions starting around $20.24 an hour, while top earners can make as much as $41.68. These figures suggest a competitive but diversified market for paralegals, influenced by both experience and the particular nuances of their working environment.
About the Urbandale 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) | $20.24 | $161.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.06 | $176.46 |
| Median (P50) | $26.89 | $215.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.82 | $270.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.68 | $333.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $26.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.89/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $55,935 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,270. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,075.68 | $4,661 | $55,935 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $645.41 | $2,797 | $33,561 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.27 | $1,865 | $22,374 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Urbandale) | $26.89 |
| 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 Urbandale, IA earn a median of $55,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.06% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $58,578.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.89/hr = $33,561/year (purchasing power: $37,125).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,935/year (purchasing power: $61,875).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Urbandale grew 21.6% from $21.37/hr (2019) to $25.98/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.84/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
For those considering part-time opportunities in the paralegal field, working just three days a week at 24 hours can lead to an annual income around $33,091, which is far less than what full-time paralegals might earn. The local per diem paralegal pay in Urbandale typically stands between $25 and $50 per hour, depending on the specific nature of the contract work and the employer. Positions such as e-discovery specialists often command higher rates, ranging from $30 to $60 an hour, while freelance corporate paralegals can earn between $40 and $75 depending on the complexity of the assignments. Hourly pay fluctuates across various employer types—law firms, in-house corporate departments, or government agencies—all of which have different budget allocations for paralegal services. While some opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others might pursue freelancing for potentially higher pay without added compensation. Paralegals in Urbandale should consider these factors when negotiating their hourly rate, aiming for a balance between compensation and job security.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 Urbandale. 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 Urbandale 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