Paralegal Salary in Idaho: $53,379 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Idaho's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $53,379/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Idaho sits at BEA RPP 95.3 (5% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $56,012 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boise City ($53,470), Boise ($50,226), Coeur d'Alene ($50,140).
In 2026, paralegals in Idaho are projected to earn an average median salary of $53,379, significantly lower than the national median of $65,097, reflecting an -18.0% difference. The salary range within the state varies, with Boise City offering the highest pay at $55,347, while Mountain Home has the lowest at $47,292, a disparity of $8,055. This gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for legal services, and the concentration of law firms in metropolitan areas. Idaho has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the profession. Paralegals are not required to hold a license in Idaho, but having certifications can enhance job prospects. The demand for paralegals is growing steadily, with an annual growth rate of 3.51% expected. As of 2026, there are 1,865 paralegals employed across the state, primarily in urban areas like Boise City, which is projected to have the highest salaries. Other key locations include Boise at $51,989, Coeur d'Alene at $51,900, Lewiston at $51,796, and Nampa at $51,596. This consistent demand suggests a stable job market for the profession in Idaho moving forward.
Idaho Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Idaho: $33,877 (lowest entry-level) to $83,015 (highest top earner)
Idaho vs National Average
Idaho paralegals earn 18% less than the national median ($-11,718/year difference).
Idaho Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Idaho range from $38,285 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $78,899 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $53,379. The Idaho median is $11,718 below the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $25.67/hr. Approximately 1,865 paralegals are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,636
2025 BLS Actual
$51,569
2026 Current Est.
$53,379
2019–2027 Growth
+13.6%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Idaho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,636 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,987 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,037 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,061 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,679 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,569 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,379 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,253 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 6.0% from $48,636 (2019) to $51,569 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,253 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,617 (13.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Idaho
Lowest Paying Cities in Idaho
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mountain Home | $47,292 |
| Eagle | $47,762 |
| Post Falls | $48,210 |
| Idaho Falls | $48,277 |
| Pocatello | $48,308 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Idaho
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Idaho cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $51,796 | 91.16 | $56,819 |
| Boise City | $55,347 | 98.391 | $56,252 |
| Boise | $51,989 | 95.3 | $54,553 |
| Pocatello | $48,308 | 88.906 | $54,336 |
| Nampa | $51,596 | 95.3 | $54,141 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Idaho
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,285 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $53,379 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $78,899 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Idaho metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in Idaho
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise City | $55,347 |
| 2 | Boise | $51,989 |
| 3 | Coeur d'Alene | $51,900 |
| 4 | Lewiston | $51,796 |
| 5 | Nampa | $51,596 |
| 6 | Caldwell | $50,550 |
| 7 | Meridian | $50,343 |
| 8 | Rexburg | $49,685 |
| 9 | Moscow | $48,902 |
| 10 | Twin Falls | $48,515 |
| 11 | Kuna | $48,505 |
| 12 | Pocatello | $48,308 |
| 13 | Idaho Falls | $48,277 |
| 14 | Post Falls | $48,210 |
| 15 | Eagle | $47,762 |
| 16 | Mountain Home | $47,292 |
More Idaho Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.
Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Idaho in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Idaho?
How does Idaho paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in Idaho?
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Which Idaho city offers the best value for paralegals?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 paralegal compensation across Idaho. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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