Paralegal Hourly Pay in Fargo, ND: $28.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Fargo, ND runs $28.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,570 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,744 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $28.64 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $31.30. This rate reveals the financial realities faced by part-time employees and per-diem paralegals, who often work in settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. For a typical part-time paralegal working three days per week, the hourly pay could translate into a sustainable income, especially within the city’s moderately low cost of living index. Entry-level salaries start at $22.54, while experienced professionals can achieve upper-tier earnings up to $39.80. These figures, grounded in official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, highlight both the entry opportunities and potential for growth in the Fargo paralegal market.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.54 | $180.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.54 | $180.36 |
| Median (P50) | $28.64 | $229.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.44 | $267.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.80 | $318.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fargo
Based on $28.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.64/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $59,574 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,369. With a cost-of-living index of 90.87 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,145.65 | $4,964 | $59,574 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $687.39 | $2,979 | $35,744 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.26 | $1,986 | $23,829 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Fargo) | $28.64 |
| 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 Fargo, ND earn a median of $59,570 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.49% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.50% below the North Dakota state average of $59,869.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.64/hr = $35,744/year (purchasing power: $39,335).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,574/year (purchasing power: $65,559).
CoL index: 90.871 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Fargo grew 18.0% from $23.44/hr (2019) to $27.67/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.65/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 Fargo 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 Fargo
Those pursuing part-time roles as paralegals in Fargo should carefully calculate their earnings—working 24 hours a week could yield an annual take-home that significantly differs from full-time wages. In the realm of contract work, such as freelance and per-diem positions, billing rates can vary considerably based on specialization, with e-discovery review specialists earning between $30 and $60 per hour. Meanwhile, in-house corporate paralegals and those supporting governmental legal offices often have a more stable but less lucrative hourly earning potential. Local law firms range from boutique operations to larger mid-size congregations, each offering varying compensation structures. Some paralegals may opt for slightly lower wages in environments that provide benefits, a common trade-off in the field. It’s prudent for future paralegals in Fargo to negotiate terms based on their skills and experiences, particularly emphasizing any specialized skills they possess or affiliations with organizations like NALA or NFPA, as these can bolster their market value.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
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 Fargo. 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