Paralegal Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $59,435 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $59,435/year (≈ $28.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $66,809 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, paralegals find themselves earning a median annual salary of $59,435 in 2026, which is about 8.70% less than the national median of $65,097. The salary range for this profession spans from $39,230 at the lower end (P10) to $79,558 at the upper end (P90), reflecting the diverse employment opportunities available across various types of legal practices. While larger firms, often categorized as BigLaw, tend to offer higher pay, mid-market and small firms provide opportunities that can lead to significant work-life balance. The figures presented here are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, showcasing how the local job market in Cedar Rapids compares to national employment trends for paralegals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,230 | $18.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,188 | $23.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,435 | $28.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,822 | $31.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,558 | $38.25 |
Median Salary Position
8.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,328 (2026 est.). At $59,435, the local median is 8.7% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be above the median
How Cedar Rapids Paralegal Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $59,435/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $58,557 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -8.70% less |
Paralegals in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $59,435 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.70% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.50% above the Iowa state average of $58,557.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $59,435 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,809 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,710
2025 BLS Actual
$57,420
2026 Current Est.
$59,435
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,435 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,522 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 20.4% from $47,710 (2019) to $57,420 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,522 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,812 (28.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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) | $39,230 – $49,188 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,188 – $59,435 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,435 – $65,822 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,822 – $79,558 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Cedar Rapids
The job market in Cedar Rapids supports approximately 310 paralegals, indicating a healthy demand for legal professionals in the area. Living in Cedar Rapids, where the cost-of-living index is around 88.963, means that paralegals enjoy a favorable purchasing power relative to their salaries. Employers that typically pay well include federal and state government legal offices and larger law firms, while in-house corporate roles also provide competitive compensation. The disparity in salaries often arises from factors such as firm size, areas of specialty, and certifications. Those with expertise in e-discovery often command a higher salary, while individuals with certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA may secure better pay. For paralegals aiming to enhance their earning potential in Cedar Rapids, pursuing specialization, obtaining relevant certifications, and considering roles in larger corporate environments can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, 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 $57,420 for paralegalsin the Cedar Rapids 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