Paralegal Hourly Pay in Burnsville, MN: $29.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Burnsville, MN runs $29.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,134 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Burnsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,674 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Burnsville, MN, paralegals earn a median hourly rate of $29.39, which falls below the national median of $31.30. This wage impacts various working arrangements, such as part-time positions that typically involve a 24-hour workweek, effectively providing a take-home of about $37,177 annually. For those seeking per-diem opportunities within law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices, the range of hourly compensation starts at around $22.01 for entry-level roles and may go as high as $45.55 for experienced professionals. The hourly figures reflect estimated annual salaries and highlight the increasing need for skilled paralegals who can balance remote and on-site tasks often found within legal support roles, whether it’s at a filing window, closing room, or during an e-discovery review.
About the Burnsville 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) | $22.01 | $176.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.13 | $193.03 |
| Median (P50) | $29.39 | $235.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.63 | $301.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.55 | $364.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burnsville
Based on $29.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.39/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burnsville, MN can expect to earn approximately $61,124 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,264. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burnsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burnsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,175.46 | $5,094 | $61,124 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $705.28 | $3,056 | $36,674 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $470.18 | $2,037 | $24,450 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Burnsville) | $29.39 |
| 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 Burnsville, MN earn a median of $61,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.09% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.40% below the Minnesota state average of $62,002.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.39/hr = $36,674/year (purchasing power: $37,233).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,124/year (purchasing power: $62,055).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Burnsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Burnsville grew 21.6% from $23.36/hr (2019) to $28.39/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.42/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 Burnsville 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 Burnsville
Examining the part-time opportunities available, a paralegal working three days a week in Burnsville could earn a stable income of nearly $37,177, presenting a substantial difference compared to full-time colleagues who average around $61,134 annually. For those engaging in per-diem roles, compensation varies significantly, with contracted paralegals typically billing rates between $25-$50 per hour, while specialized e-discovery professionals can earn $30-$60 per hour depending on their expertise with software such as Relativity. Additionally, paralegals working in different sectors may find pay rates fluctuating, as legal firms often provide more competitive salaries compared to corporate legal departments or government roles, where full benefits are more commonly offered. Often, paralegals accept reduced hourly wages for the security of health insurance offered by larger firms. When negotiating pay, particularly as an hourly worker in Burnsville, it's wise to assess the full compensation package and demand fair rates, especially in fields requiring advanced skills and certifications recognized by NALA or NFPA.
More salary data for Burnsville, 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 Burnsville. 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 Burnsville 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