Paralegal Salary in Winona, MN: $58,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Winona, MN earns a median $58,749/year (≈ $28.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Winona's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $59,644 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Winona, Minnesota can expect a median annual salary of $58,749, which is notably lower than the national figure of $65,097. The compensation for this role generally ranges from $43,501 at the lower end to $90,873 at the high end. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, suggest that paralegals working in Winona often face a salary tradeoff, particularly when comparing in-house corporate positions to those at law firms. Corporate settings tend to favor work-life balance, while law firms, especially those in the BigLaw category, might offer higher salaries but at the cost of demanding hours. Given the limited number of paralegals employed in the area, understanding local employment dynamics is essential for those pursuing a career in this field.
About the Winona Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,501 | $20.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,607 | $22.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,749 | $28.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,263 | $35.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,873 | $43.69 |
Median Salary Position
9.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winona
In Winona, MN, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,372 (2026 est.). At $58,749, the local median is 9.75% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winona Paralegal Pay Compares
Winona median: $58,749/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $61,972 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -9.75% less |
Paralegals in Winona, MN earn a median of $58,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.75% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.20% below the Minnesota state average of $61,972.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winona 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.
Winona, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $58,749 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,644 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,694
2025 BLS Actual
$56,757
2026 Current Est.
$58,749
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Winona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,694 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,759 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,746 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,427 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,024 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,875 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,757 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,811 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winona metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $46,694 (2019) to $56,757 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,811 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,117 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winona 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) | $43,501 – $47,607 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,607 – $58,749 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,749 – $73,263 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,263 – $90,873 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Winona
The local job market for paralegals in Winona consists of just four individuals currently employed in the profession, indicating a compact yet competitive landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, paralegals in this region may find that their salaries stretch further than in higher-cost areas, thereby enhancing their effective purchasing power. Opportunities for higher earnings often lie within law firms that range from mid-size to larger outfits, as well as in-house roles with corporate legal departments. Factors influencing the significant pay disparity within the profession include the tier of the employer, specialty areas such as e-discovery, and certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA. To maximize earnings potential, paralegals should focus on obtaining pertinent certifications, developing niche skills such as bilingual fluency, and actively seeking out positions with firms that cater to high-demand legal services.
More salary data for Winona, 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 $56,757 for paralegalsin the Winona 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 Winona 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