Paralegal Salary in St. Cloud, MN: $61,992 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in St. Cloud, MN earns a median $61,992/year (≈ $29.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in St. Cloud's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $70,741 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, paralegals in St. Cloud, Minnesota, earn a median annual salary of $61,992, slightly below the national average of $65,097. The salary range for this profession spans from $43,433 at the 10th percentile to $90,551 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of roles and experiences within the market. This data, culled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, underscores the evolving nature of paralegal roles, especially as specialties like e-discovery gain prominence. For those with expertise in legal technology, such as Relativity, the potential for enhanced pay is significant, making St. Cloud an intriguing market for paralegals looking to maximize their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,433 | $20.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,147 | $23.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,992 | $29.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,179 | $38.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,551 | $43.54 |
Median Salary Position
4.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Cloud
In St. Cloud, MN, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,118 (2026 est.). At $61,992, the local median is 4.77% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Cloud: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Cloud Paralegal Pay Compares
St. Cloud median: $61,992/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Cloud Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,097 | -4.77% less |
Paralegals in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $61,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.77% lower than the national median of $65,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Cloud has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Cloud, MN has a cost-of-living index of 87.632 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $61,992 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,741 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,460
2025 BLS Actual
$59,890
2026 Current Est.
$61,992
2019–2027 Growth
+35.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,992 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,168 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Cloud metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 26.2% from $47,460 (2019) to $59,890 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,168 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,708 (35.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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) | $43,433 – $49,147 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,147 – $61,992 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,992 – $80,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,179 – $90,551 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in St. Cloud
The local job market boasts approximately 210 employed paralegals, which creates a competitive environment for positions in various legal settings. With a cost-of-living index of 87.632, St. Cloud presents a favorable context for paralegal pay, enhanced by the equilibrium between housing costs and potential earnings. Among the employers, big law firms and in-house corporate legal departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, particularly for roles demanding specialized knowledge in e-discovery or certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA. The variations in pay across different sectors stem from firm size, specialization, and local demand for particular skills, such as bilingual capabilities. For paralegals seeking to improve their salary prospects, obtaining relevant certifications and emphasizing technology skills, particularly in e-discovery, are effective strategies to elevate their standing in the St. Cloud job market.
More salary data for St. Cloud, 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 $59,890 for paralegalsin the St. Cloud 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