Paralegal Salary in Boise, ID: $51,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Boise, ID earns a median $51,989/year (≈ $25.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Boise's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $54,553 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Boise, Idaho are projected to earn a median annual salary of $51,989, which reflects a significant difference when compared to the national median of $65,097. Earning potential in this city spans a range from $33,877 at the 10th percentile to $80,583 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, indicating that while there is room for growth, the paralegal market in Boise operates at roughly 20% below the national average. One notable factor influencing compensation is the e-discovery specialty, particularly those proficient in platforms like Relativity, which can considerably enhance earning potential within the local job market.
About the Boise Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,877 | $16.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,235 | $18.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,989 | $25.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,546 | $31.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,583 | $38.74 |
Median Salary Position
20.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boise
In Boise, ID, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,706 (2026 est.). At $51,989, the local median is 20.14% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boise: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boise Paralegal Pay Compares
Boise median: $51,989/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $50,134 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -20.14% less |
Paralegals in Boise, ID earn a median of $51,989 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.14% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.70% above the Idaho state average of $50,134.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boise has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boise, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $51,989 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,553 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,321
2025 BLS Actual
$50,226
2026 Current Est.
$51,989
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Boise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,321 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,264 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,907 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,279 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,693 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,392 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,226 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,814 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boise metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $41,321 (2019) to $50,226 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,814 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,493 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $33,877 – $39,235 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,235 – $51,989 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,989 – $66,546 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,546 – $80,583 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Boise
Examining the broader employment landscape, Boise has approximately 60 paralegals contributing to a diverse legal sector. The cost of living index stands at 95.3, offering a relatively affordable environment that can improve the effective purchasing power of those salaries. In terms of employment opportunities, larger law firms and in-house corporate legal departments typically offer more competitive compensation compared to smaller boutique firms or government positions. The variation in pay often hinges on factors such as the size and tier of the firm, specialty areas like e-discovery, and relevant certifications like those from NALA or NFPA. Paralegals looking to maximize their salaries in Boise should consider pursuing specialized training or certifications, especially in high-demand areas, and aim for positions within larger firms or corporate environments where pay and benefits may be more favorable.
More salary data for Boise, ID:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,226 for paralegalsin the Boise metropolitan area. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Boise 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