Paralegal Salary in Marion, IA: $57,573 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Marion, IA earns a median $57,573/year (≈ $27.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Marion's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $63,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marion, Iowa, the projected median annual paralegal salary for 2026 is $57,573, which reflects a notable contrast to the national median of $65,097. Paralegal pay in Marion ranges from $41,309 at the 10th percentile to $89,239 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse salary spectrum within the local market. Salary figures in this analysis are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Although the compensation in Marion may seem lower than the national average, it is essential to consider factors such as the balance between working in in-house corporate legal environments versus traditional law firms, where pay can vary significantly.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,309 | $19.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,722 | $21.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,573 | $27.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,156 | $34.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,239 | $42.90 |
Median Salary Position
11.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,930 (2026 est.). At $57,573, the local median is 11.56% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion Paralegal Pay Compares
Marion median: $57,573/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $58,569 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -11.56% less |
Paralegals in Marion, IA earn a median of $57,573 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.56% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $58,569.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion 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.
Marion, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $57,573 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,687 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,760
2025 BLS Actual
$55,621
2026 Current Est.
$57,573
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,803 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,731 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,358 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,923 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,621 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,573 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $45,760 (2019) to $55,621 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,834 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $41,309 – $45,722 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,722 – $57,573 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,573 – $72,156 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,156 – $89,239 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Marion
In terms of the local job market, only six paralegals are currently employed in Marion, which hints at limited competition but also a potential challenge for job seekers. The cost of living index here stands at 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may be below national averages, they may afford a reasonable standard of living. Employers in Marion—including small boutique firms, mid-size practitioners, and in-house corporate legal departments—may provide competitive compensation. Interestingly, factors driving salary variations include specialty areas like e-discovery, where skills in software like Relativity can lead to higher pay, as well as the level of certification, such as NALA CP or NFPA RP. For those looking to increase their earnings, obtaining specialized training or certifications, particularly in high-demand areas, can significantly enhance marketability and salary prospects in the Marion paralegal job market.
More salary data for Marion, 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 $55,621 for paralegalsin the Marion 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 Marion 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