Paralegal Salary in Bloomington, MN: $77,497 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Bloomington, MN earns a median $77,497/year (≈ $37.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $78,677 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bloomington, Minnesota, paralegals can expect a competitive median annual salary of $77,497 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $65,097. This income reflects the distinct structure of the local legal market, particularly influenced by the tier of law firm, where BigLaw firms typically offer the most attractive compensation, but often at the cost of demanding work hours. Salaries in Bloomington range from $56,237 at the lower end (P10) to $120,120 for those at the top of the scale (P90), indicating a robust market with room for advancement. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, suggest that paralegals in the area are fairly well compensated compared to their counterparts elsewhere in the country.
About the Bloomington Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,237 | $27.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,644 | $29.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,497 | $37.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,646 | $47.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,120 | $57.75 |
Median Salary Position
19.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, MN, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,883 (2026 est.). At $77,497, the local median is 19.05% above the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Paralegal Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $77,497/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $61,998 | +25.00% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | +19.05% more |
Paralegals in Bloomington, MN earn a median of $77,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.05% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 25.00% above the Minnesota state average of $61,998.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $77,497 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,677 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,595
2025 BLS Actual
$74,869
2026 Current Est.
$77,497
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,595 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,476 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,583 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,388 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,869 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,497 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,217 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $61,595 (2019) to $74,869 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,217 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,622 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $56,237 – $60,644 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,644 – $77,497 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,497 – $98,646 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,646 – $120,120 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Bloomington
The local job landscape reveals that 18 paralegals are actively employed in Bloomington, a number that reflects both the demand for legal services and the city's commitment to providing a supportive environment for professionals in this field. The cost of living index sits at 98.5, which means that while salaries are above the national average, the local housing and living expenses are manageable, enhancing overall purchasing power. Among employers, law firms tend to pay the highest, with BigLaw opportunities and in-house corporate positions generally leading in compensation packages. Factors influencing salary variation include the type of legal specialty, with expertise in e-discovery commanding premiums. To maximize earnings, paralegals can seek certifications from NALA or NFPA and consider enhancing their skills in high-demand areas or languages that can offer additional value in the Bloomington market.
More salary data for Bloomington, MN:
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 $74,869 for paralegalsin the Bloomington 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 Bloomington 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