Paralegal Hourly Pay in Plymouth, MN: $29.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Plymouth, MN runs $29.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,350 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Plymouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,816 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plymouth, Minnesota, the projected paralegal hourly pay for 2026 is set at $29.50, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.30. This rate reflects not only the general demand for legal support services within various employment settings—such as law firm paralegal cubicles, corporate legal departments, and government offices—but also the cost of living in the area, which sits below the national average. With this hourly wage, part-time paralegals working three days a week can expect to earn around $23,400 annually, which may appeal to individuals seeking flexible work arrangements. Rates for entry-level professionals start at $19.89 per hour, while experienced paralegals can command up to $45.72 per hour, making this field accessible to a range of skill levels and offering various opportunities depending on the employer type and specific legal niche.
About the Plymouth 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) | $19.89 | $159.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.35 | $194.76 |
| Median (P50) | $29.50 | $236.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.03 | $296.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.72 | $365.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plymouth
Based on $29.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.50/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plymouth, MN can expect to earn approximately $61,361 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,400. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Plymouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plymouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,180.01 | $5,113 | $61,361 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $708.01 | $3,068 | $36,816 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.01 | $2,045 | $24,544 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Plymouth) | $29.50 |
| 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 Plymouth, MN earn a median of $61,350 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.76% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.00% below the Minnesota state average of $61,970.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.50/hr = $36,816/year (purchasing power: $37,377).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,361/year (purchasing power: $62,295).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Plymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Plymouth grew 21.6% from $23.45/hr (2019) to $28.50/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.54/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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth
For those considering part-time positions in Plymouth, earning potential will vary significantly when comparing full-time roles to those working on a per-diem basis or as independent contractors. A paralegal on a 24-hour work week prefers the flexibility but sacrifices overall earning potential compared to full-time positions. Contract roles, especially within specific sectors like e-discovery or trial preparation, can offer lucrative per diem paralegal pay, ranging from $25 to $90 an hour based on experience and specialty. Employers in Plymouth, including BigLaw firms, mid-sized companies, and public sector offices, tend to carry different pay scales which can impact hourly rates. Professionals might find themselves negotiating hourly wages in light of benefits packages; some may opt for lower hourly rates tied to comprehensive insurance coverage, while others risk paying higher rates with no health benefits. Negotiation tactics and leveraging skills in specialty areas like e-discovery can further enhance a paralegal's marketability in this competitive field.
More salary data for Plymouth, 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 Plymouth. 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 Plymouth 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