Paralegal Hourly Pay in Brooklyn Center, MN: $29.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Brooklyn Center, MN runs $29.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,746 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Brooklyn Center's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,442 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brooklyn Center, the projected paralegal hourly pay for 2026 stands at $29.20, slightly trailing the national median hourly rate of $31.30. This rate supports a variety of work arrangements, making it viable for both part-time positions and per-diem roles. For instance, a part-time paralegal working three days a week might take home a substantial income, which reflects the importance of this flexibility in many legal environments—such as law firm offices, corporate legal departments, or even remote settings for e-discovery. Entry-level positions begin around $20.82 per hour, while experienced paralegals can earn up to $45.26 per hour, showcasing a significant range based on skill and specialization.
About the Brooklyn Center Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.82 | $166.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.07 | $184.58 |
| Median (P50) | $29.20 | $233.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.89 | $287.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.26 | $362.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brooklyn Center
Based on $29.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.20/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brooklyn Center, MN can expect to earn approximately $60,736 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,040. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brooklyn Center.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brooklyn Center
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.01 | $5,061 | $60,736 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.80 | $3,037 | $36,442 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.20 | $2,025 | $24,295 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Brooklyn Center) | $29.20 |
| 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 Brooklyn Center, MN earn a median of $60,746 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.68% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $61,986.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.20/hr = $36,442/year (purchasing power: $36,997).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,736/year (purchasing power: $61,661).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Brooklyn Center (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Brooklyn Center grew 21.6% from $23.21/hr (2019) to $28.21/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.23/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 Brooklyn Center 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 Brooklyn Center
When evaluating the earning potential for paralegals working in Brooklyn Center, one should consider part-time employment scenarios in which a paralegal working 24 hours a week could earn a respectable amount annually without committing to full-time hours. Per-diem paralegals often find themselves commanding rates that range widely; contract work might pay between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialized skills in e-discovery can push hourly rates even higher, from $30 to $60. Employment type heavily influences these rates, with law firms typically offering robust salaries for full-time paralegals compared to government positions or smaller boutique firms, which may pay at the lower end. The decision to trade off benefits for a higher hourly rate can be significant in negotiations; many paralegals opt for the security of healthcare and retirement options over a higher hourly wage that comes with freelance roles. Therefore, understanding the unique dynamics within Brooklyn Center's job market is vital for anyone navigating paralegal compensation effectively.
More salary data for Brooklyn Center, MN:
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 Brooklyn Center. 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 Brooklyn Center 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