Paralegal Hourly Pay in Duluth, MN: $28.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Duluth, MN runs $28.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,818 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Duluth's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,886 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Duluth, the current projected median hourly pay for paralegals is $28.76, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.30. This discrepancy highlights the unique economic landscape of Minnesota's legal sector, particularly for professionals working in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. For those considering part-time work—perhaps in a law firm’s paralegal cubicle or a corporate legal office—this hourly rate translates to a reasonable income, even for a three-day workweek. Entry-level paralegals can expect approximately $22.70 per hour, while top earners can command rates up to $40.14 per hour, as indicated by official Bureau of Labor Statistics data. These figures reflect both the competitive nature of the job market in Duluth and the specific demands of each workplace setting.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.70 | $181.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.52 | $188.14 |
| Median (P50) | $28.76 | $230.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.32 | $290.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.14 | $321.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Duluth
Based on $28.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.76/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Duluth, MN can expect to earn approximately $59,811 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,506. With a cost-of-living index of 88.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Duluth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Duluth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,150.20 | $4,984 | $59,811 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $690.12 | $2,991 | $35,886 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.08 | $1,994 | $23,924 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Duluth) | $28.76 |
| 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 Duluth, MN earn a median of $59,818 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.11% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.50% below the Minnesota state average of $61,988.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.76/hr = $35,886/year (purchasing power: $40,427).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,811/year (purchasing power: $67,379).
CoL index: 88.768 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Duluth grew 25.7% from $22.10/hr (2019) to $27.78/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.76/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 Duluth 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 Duluth
As for part-time earnings, a paralegal working three days a week for 24 hours would take home about $36,024 annually, compared to a full-time salary that averages significantly higher. Meanwhile, contract and freelance opportunities often provide higher per diem paralegal pay in Duluth, which can range from $25 to $75 per hour, depending on the specific services rendered, like e-discovery review or trial preparation. Hourly rates also vary by employer type: large law firms might pay more than smaller, boutique firms, while corporate in-house positions typically offer lower rates in exchange for benefits and a better work-life balance. Paralegals negotiating in Duluth should consider these factors carefully, balancing hourly wages against the security and perks offered by full-time employment. Understanding the demand for specialties, such as e-discovery roles, can also lead to effective salary discussions in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Duluth, 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 Duluth. 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