Paralegal Salary in Pocatello, ID: $48,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Pocatello, ID earns a median $48,308/year (≈ $23.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Pocatello's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $54,336 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pocatello, Idaho, the salary for paralegals reflects the trade-offs between different employment environments and the local job market. With a projected median annual salary of $48,308 for 2026, paralegal positions here pay significantly less than the national median of $65,097, making it crucial for new professionals to consider their career pathways carefully. Paralegals in Pocatello can expect salaries ranging from around $37,792 at the lower end to $78,471 for those at the higher end of the spectrum. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the regional variances that can influence career decisions, such as choosing between demanding law firm roles and more balanced in-house positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,792 | $18.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,724 | $22.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,308 | $23.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,356 | $31.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,471 | $37.73 |
Median Salary Position
25.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pocatello
In Pocatello, ID, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,679 (2026 est.). At $48,308, the local median is 25.79% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pocatello: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pocatello Paralegal Pay Compares
Pocatello median: $48,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pocatello Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $50,164 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -25.79% less |
Paralegals in Pocatello, ID earn a median of $48,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.79% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.70% below the Idaho state average of $50,164.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pocatello has a cost of living 11.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pocatello, ID has a cost-of-living index of 88.906 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $48,308 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,336 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,900
2025 BLS Actual
$46,670
2026 Current Est.
$48,308
2019–2027 Growth
+19.3%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Pocatello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,004 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pocatello metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 11.4% from $41,900 (2019) to $46,670 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,004 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,104 (19.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pocatello 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) | $37,792 – $46,724 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,724 – $48,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,308 – $65,356 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,356 – $78,471 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Pocatello
The local job market employs about 70 paralegals, providing opportunities for those entering the field. Pocatello’s cost-of-living index of 88.906 signifies that overall living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance the take-home value of paralegal pay in this area. Among the various employers, in-house legal departments typically offer competitive salaries but usually yield a more manageable work-life balance compared to the rigorous demands of larger law firms. Factors contributing to the pay range include specialization in areas like e-discovery, demand for bilingual skills, and certification credentials from organizations such as NALA or NFPA. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Pocatello ID, pursuing certifications and considering roles in high-demand specialties can significantly enhance their marketability and compensation prospects.
More salary data for Pocatello, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $46,670 for paralegalsin the Pocatello 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