Paralegal Hourly Pay in River Falls, WI: $24.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in River Falls, WI runs $24.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,251 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against River Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,151 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, Wisconsin, the projected median hourly pay for paralegals in 2026 stands at $24.16, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This figure suggests that local part-time and per-diem paralegals, often working in law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, or in remote roles, may find their earnings constrained. Those in entry-level positions can expect to earn as low as $17.45 an hour, while experienced professionals may see rates rise to $37.37. The range reflects varying levels of expertise and responsibility, illustrating that as paralegals gain experience in different sectors—like e-discovery or litigation support—their hourly earnings fluctuate. It's noteworthy that these values are derived from annual salary data and tailored to the part-time workforce, which is common in both traditional office settings and the burgeoning field of remote legal work.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.45 | $139.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.10 | $160.81 |
| Median (P50) | $24.16 | $193.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.37 | $242.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.37 | $298.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in River Falls
Based on $24.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.16/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in River Falls, WI can expect to earn approximately $50,251 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,991. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in River Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in River Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $966.37 | $4,188 | $50,251 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $579.82 | $2,513 | $30,151 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $386.55 | $1,675 | $20,100 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (River Falls) | $24.16 |
| 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 River Falls, WI earn a median of $50,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.81% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $53,345.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.16/hr = $30,151/year (purchasing power: $32,281).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,251/year (purchasing power: $53,802).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in River Falls grew 21.6% from $19.20/hr (2019) to $23.34/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.01/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 River Falls 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 River Falls
For a paralegal working part-time in River Falls, specifically on a three-day workweek schedule, total annual earnings do not match those of full-time counterparts, and understanding this dynamic in hourly pay is crucial. Many per-diem paralegals may find opportunities through contracts that yield rates ranging from $25 to $50 an hour, while specialists in e-discovery can command $30 to $60 for their services. Contract paralegals engaged in trial preparation may earn upwards of $50 to $90 per hour during active cases, underscoring the flexibility and earning potential within different legal specializations. Moreover, hourly rates can vary widely based on employment settings: law firms, government offices, and corporate environments all have distinct pay structures influenced by budget constraints and the demand for legal services. While some paralegals opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others pursue higher rates, such as freelance or contract work. Negotiating pay effectively in River Falls requires knowledge of local market standards and an understanding of one's qualifications, particularly when paralegals are trained through recognized programs like NALA or NFPA.
More salary data for River Falls, WI:
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 River Falls. 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 River Falls 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