Paralegal Salary in Burlington, IA: $56,219 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Burlington, IA earns a median $56,219/year (≈ $27.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $62,189 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, IA, the projected median annual salary for paralegals in 2026 is $56,219, which is notably lower than the national median of $65,097 by approximately 13.64%. Compensation for paralegals in this area ranges from $42,183 at the 10th percentile to as high as $85,615 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. The pay structure in Burlington illustrates a typical divide seen in the legal field, where larger firms may offer higher salaries compared to mid-sized and smaller firms. With limited local firms and only four paralegals currently employed in the area, job prospects can be competitive, underscoring the need for relevant skills and certifications in this market.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,183 | $20.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,894 | $22.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,219 | $27.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,848 | $33.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,615 | $41.17 |
Median Salary Position
13.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,432 (2026 est.). At $56,219, the local median is 13.64% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Paralegal Pay Compares
Burlington median: $56,219/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $58,562 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -13.64% less |
Paralegals in Burlington, IA earn a median of $56,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.64% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $58,562.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $56,219 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,189 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,684
2025 BLS Actual
$54,313
2026 Current Est.
$56,219
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,684 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,703 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,561 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,126 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,655 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,313 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,219 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,193 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $44,684 (2019) to $54,313 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,193 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,509 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $42,183 – $45,894 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,894 – $56,219 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,219 – $69,848 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,848 – $85,615 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Burlington
Analyzing the local job market reveals additional layers impacting paralegal pay in Burlington, IA. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, wages may stretch further here compared to places with a higher index, making the area relatively affordable for paralegal professionals. Prospective employers that typically offer the highest salaries include both mid-sized and boutique law firms, along with corporate in-house legal departments that value specialized skills. The disparities in pay can be attributed to the tier of the law firm, with BigLaw paying more while often demanding longer hours, and the specialty of the position; for instance, expertise in e-discovery can fetch premium pay. To maximize earnings, paralegals in Burlington should pursue certifications from recognized bodies like NALA or NFPA, consider specializing in areas like litigation or corporate law, and remain open to contract work, which can offer flexible hours coupled with competitive pay.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
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 $54,313 for paralegalsin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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