Paralegal Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $29.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in St. Cloud, MN runs $29.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,992 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,191 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The paralegal hourly pay in St. Cloud, MN, stands at a median of $29.80, which is slightly lower than the national median of $31.30. This rate provides a solid foundation for those considering paralegal roles, whether in law firm cubicles, bustling corporate legal departments, or remote e-discovery projects. For part-time work, such as a typical 3-day, 24-hour workweek, this translates into a decent income that supports a balanced professional life. Entry-level paralegals might start at around $20.89 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $43.54, reflecting the broad spectrum of career advancement in the field. These figures, extracted from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, highlight the varying opportunities available to paralegals in the St. Cloud area.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.89 | $167.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.63 | $189.05 |
| Median (P50) | $29.80 | $238.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.55 | $308.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.54 | $348.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $29.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.80/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $61,985 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,761. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,192.02 | $5,165 | $61,985 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $715.21 | $3,099 | $37,191 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $476.81 | $2,066 | $24,794 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (St. Cloud) | $29.80 |
| 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 St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $61,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.77% lower than the national median of $65,097.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.80/hr = $37,191/year (purchasing power: $42,440).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,985/year (purchasing power: $70,733).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in St. Cloud grew 26.2% from $22.82/hr (2019) to $28.79/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.85/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
Earning potential for paralegals can vary significantly, especially for those pursuing part-time jobs or contract work. For instance, a part-time paralegal working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate could expect to earn about $37,158 annually, which may not quite match the financial benefits of full-time employment but allows for greater flexibility. Contract and per-diem paralegals often find themselves in a landscape where hourly rates fluctuate widely, with jobs billing anywhere from $25 to $90 per hour. Law firms may offer lower wages for permanent roles when compared to higher-paying freelance positions, but they often provide benefits such as health insurance and job security, which can be crucial factors for many workers. For paralegals in St. Cloud, negotiating hourly rates effectively is essential; knowing the regional demand for specific skills, such as experience with e-discovery software or familiarity with local legal procedures, can provide leverage for better pay.
More salary data for St. Cloud, 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 St. Cloud. 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