Paralegal Salary in Lewiston, ID: $51,796 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Lewiston, ID earns a median $51,796/year (≈ $24.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $56,819 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lewiston, Idaho, the projected median annual paralegal salary is $51,796 for 2026, which reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median of $65,097. With a salary range spanning from $40,338 at the lowest 10th percentile to $81,835 at the 90th percentile, those in the field experience varying compensation based on factors such as employer type and specific legal specialties. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates that while in-house corporate positions may offer a more balanced lifestyle, law firms often provide the potential for higher compensation—albeit with more demanding hours. This dynamic creates a competitive landscape for career-focused paralegals in Lewiston, where understanding the nuances of the job market can be key to making informed career decisions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,338 | $19.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,213 | $24.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,796 | $24.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,835 | $39.34 |
Median Salary Position
20.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ID, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,497 (2026 est.). At $51,796, the local median is 20.43% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Paralegal Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $51,796/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $50,142 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -20.43% less |
Paralegals in Lewiston, ID earn a median of $51,796 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.43% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.30% above the Idaho state average of $50,142.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 8.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ID has a cost-of-living index of 91.16 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $51,796 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,819 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,500
2025 BLS Actual
$50,040
2026 Current Est.
$51,796
2019–2027 Growth
+12.9%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,796 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,614 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 5.3% from $47,500 (2019) to $50,040 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,614 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,114 (12.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $40,338 – $50,213 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,213 – $51,796 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,796 – $61,920 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,920 – $81,835 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Lewiston
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are approximately 60 paralegals employed in Lewiston, which reflects a modest but stable demand for legal support professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 91.16, the take-home purchasing power remains relatively favorable compared to other regions, allowing paralegals in Lewiston to stretch their incomes further. Among local employers, law firms may typically be on the higher end of the pay spectrum, but corporate legal departments and government agencies also present valuable opportunities. Factors influencing compensation include the tier of the firm (where BigLaw often offers top pay), specialty areas such as e-discovery—which commands a premium— and additional credentials such as those from NALA or NFPA. For paralegals looking to maximize their earning potential, advancing their skills, pursuing relevant certifications, and considering roles in corporate law could be effective strategies for enhancing their marketability in Lewiston.
More salary data for Lewiston, 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 $50,040 for paralegalsin the Lewiston 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
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