Paralegal Salary in Caldwell, ID: $50,550 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Caldwell, ID earns a median $50,550/year (≈ $24.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Caldwell's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $53,043 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Caldwell, Idaho, paralegals can anticipate a median annual salary of $50,550 in 2026, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national median of $65,097. The salary range for local paralegals extends from $34,108 at the 10th percentile to $78,353 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diversity in earnings within this occupation. These figures, sourced from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional living costs, paint a picture of a local market influenced heavily by firm type and specialization in legal tasks. While larger firms generally offer higher pay, small and mid-sized legal practices in Caldwell present a different set of opportunities that can either diminish or enhance earnings potential depending on the niche expertise and workload.
About the Caldwell Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,108 | $16.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,727 | $20.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,462 | $30.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,353 | $37.67 |
Median Salary Position
22.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Caldwell
In Caldwell, ID, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,245 (2026 est.). At $50,550, the local median is 22.35% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Caldwell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Caldwell Paralegal Pay Compares
Caldwell median: $50,550/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Caldwell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $50,149 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -22.35% less |
Paralegals in Caldwell, ID earn a median of $50,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.35% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.80% above the Idaho state average of $50,149.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Caldwell 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.
Caldwell, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $50,550 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,043 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,178
2025 BLS Actual
$48,836
2026 Current Est.
$50,550
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Caldwell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,178 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,094 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,664 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,971 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,345 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,025 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,836 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,550 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,324 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Caldwell metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $40,178 (2019) to $48,836 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,324 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,146 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Caldwell 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) | $34,108 – $41,727 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,727 – $50,550 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,550 – $63,462 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,462 – $78,353 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Caldwell
Currently, there are about eight paralegals employed in Caldwell, ID, contributing to a modest local job market. With a cost of living index of 95.3, paralegals in this area enjoy a slightly lower cost of living compared to national averages, which can enhance their effective purchasing power. Law firms, particularly those in e-discovery and corporate law, tend to offer the most competitive compensation, while in-house corporate legal teams may provide better work-life balance. The disparity between low and high salaries often stems from specialization—e-discovery skills and certifications such as NALA CP or NFPA RP can command higher wages. For those exploring how much do paralegals make in Caldwell, building expertise in in-demand areas like e-discovery can be an effective strategy for maximizing earning potential in the local market.
More salary data for Caldwell, 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 $48,836 for paralegalsin the Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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