Paralegal Salary in Marshalltown, IA: $55,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Marshalltown, IA earns a median $55,765/year (≈ $26.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Marshalltown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $61,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $55,765 in 2026, paralegal pay in Marshalltown, IA, reflects a competitive market, albeit lower than the national median of $65,097. The salary range spans from $41,740 at the 10th percentile to $86,436 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse spectrum of compensation opportunities based on experience and specialization. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS data projected into 2026, illustrate the differences influenced by firm size and practice area. Generally, big law firms offer elevated salaries but may come with intense workload demands, while smaller firms and corporate legal departments often provide additional job stability and work-life balance. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for individuals seeking paralegal careers in Marshalltown.
About the Marshalltown Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,281 | $21.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,765 | $26.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,948 | $33.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,436 | $41.56 |
Median Salary Position
14.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marshalltown
In Marshalltown, IA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,696 (2026 est.). At $55,765, the local median is 14.34% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marshalltown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marshalltown Paralegal Pay Compares
Marshalltown median: $55,765/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marshalltown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $58,577 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -14.34% less |
Paralegals in Marshalltown, IA earn a median of $55,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.34% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.80% below the Iowa state average of $58,577.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marshalltown 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.
Marshalltown, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $55,765 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,687 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,322
2025 BLS Actual
$53,874
2026 Current Est.
$55,765
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Marshalltown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,322 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,333 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,169 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,713 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,229 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,355 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,874 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,722 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marshalltown metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $44,322 (2019) to $53,874 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,722 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,400 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marshalltown 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) | $41,740 – $44,281 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,281 – $55,765 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,765 – $69,948 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,948 – $86,436 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Marshalltown
In Marshalltown, the local legal job market supports only eight employed paralegals, which can limit upward mobility but also signifies a tight-knit community. The cost of living index is 90.4, suggesting that while salaries are lower than the national average, they may afford decent purchasing power in this regional context. Law firms and corporate legal departments typically offer the highest salaries, with those specializing in e-discovery often receiving premium pay for their expertise. Factors such as firm type, specialty, and certifications (NALA CP, NFPA RP) create significant pay disparities within the industry. For paralegals in Marshalltown, investing in specialized training and certifications, particularly in high-demand areas like e-discovery, can be effective strategies to enhance earning potential and improve job prospects in this evolving market.
More salary data for Marshalltown, 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 $53,874 for paralegalsin the Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown 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