Paralegal Salary in Minnesota: $76,342 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $76,342/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $77,505 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($76,220), St. Paul ($75,455), Bloomington ($74,869).
In Minnesota, the projected average median salary for paralegals in 2026 is $76,342, surpassing the national median of $65,097 by 17.3%. This difference can be attributed to the state's strong legal market and higher demand for legal services. The highest-paying city for paralegals is Minneapolis, with a salary of $78,895, while Faribault offers the lowest at $58,560, resulting in a gap of $20,335. This salary disparity is influenced by factors such as cost of living, the concentration of law firms, and the type of legal industries present in different areas. In Minnesota, paralegals are not required to hold a state-specific license, but they must comply with scope of practice laws that govern their responsibilities, ensuring they operate within legal boundaries. The overall job market for paralegals shows a growth rate of 3.51% annually, indicating a steady demand for skilled professionals. Major metropolitan areas like St. Paul ($78,103), Bloomington ($77,497), Rochester ($63,379), and Maple Grove ($62,833) also reflect strong salary opportunities, driven by the presence of corporate and governmental legal services. As a result, pursuing a paralegal career in Minnesota offers promising financial prospects coupled with a robust job market outlook.
Minnesota Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $41,156 (lowest entry-level) to $121,060 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota paralegals earn 17.27% more than the national median (+$11,245/year difference).
Minnesota Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Minnesota range from $50,213 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $106,583 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,342. The Minnesota median is $11,245 above the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $36.70/hr. Approximately 7,122 paralegals are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,026
2025 BLS Actual
$73,753
2026 Current Est.
$76,342
2019–2027 Growth
+38.6%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,026 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,875 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,809 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,501 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,598 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,753 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,342 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,022 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 29.3% from $57,026 (2019) to $73,753 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,022 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,996 (38.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul | $78,103 | 98.5 | $79,292 |
| Bloomington | $77,497 | 98.5 | $78,677 |
| Minneapolis | $78,895 | 104.822 | $75,266 |
| St. Cloud | $61,992 | 87.632 | $70,741 |
| Rochester | $63,379 | 90.821 | $69,785 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,213 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $76,342 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $106,583 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $78,895 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $78,103 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $77,497 |
| 4 | Rochester | $63,379 |
| 5 | Maple Grove | $62,833 |
| 6 | Woodbury | $62,809 |
| 7 | Eden Prairie | $62,750 |
| 8 | St. Cloud | $61,992 |
| 9 | Mankato | $61,578 |
| 10 | Owatonna | $61,540 |
| 11 | Brooklyn Park | $61,458 |
| 12 | Plymouth | $61,350 |
| 13 | Roseville | $61,313 |
| 14 | Chaska | $61,265 |
| 15 | Minnetonka | $61,252 |
| 16 | Cottage Grove | $61,184 |
| 17 | Burnsville | $61,134 |
| 18 | Lakeville | $60,908 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $60,866 |
| 20 | Inver Grove Heights | $60,770 |
| 21 | Eagan | $60,761 |
| 22 | Brooklyn Center | $60,746 |
| 23 | Elk River | $60,737 |
| 24 | Prior Lake | $60,673 |
| 25 | Ramsey | $60,452 |
| 26 | Blaine | $60,196 |
| 27 | Apple Valley | $60,103 |
| 28 | Shakopee | $60,043 |
| 29 | Coon Rapids | $60,035 |
| 30 | Savage | $59,937 |
| 31 | Edina | $59,931 |
| 32 | Duluth | $59,818 |
| 33 | Maplewood | $59,754 |
| 34 | Andover | $59,741 |
| 35 | Richfield | $59,712 |
| 36 | St. Louis Park | $59,707 |
| 37 | Moorhead | $59,620 |
| 38 | Northfield | $59,189 |
| 39 | Hastings | $59,063 |
| 40 | Fridley | $58,798 |
| 41 | Winona | $58,749 |
| 42 | Shoreview | $58,725 |
| 43 | Austin | $58,634 |
| 44 | Faribault | $58,560 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in Minnesota?
How many paralegals are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for paralegals?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 paralegal compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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