Paralegal Salary in Fargo, ND: $59,570 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Fargo, ND earns a median $59,570/year (≈ $28.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $65,554 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, paralegal salaries in Fargo, North Dakota are anticipated to reach a median of $59,570 annually, which falls below the national average of $65,097. The salary range is projected to span from $46,890 at the 10th percentile to $82,787 at the 90th percentile, offering a wide variance in potential earnings. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflecting the local market conditions. For paralegals, particularly those with specialization in e-discovery and tools like Relativity, achieving this premium can significantly boost income. The overall job market in Fargo remains competitive for paralegals, with numerous opportunities that are shaped by the region’s legal landscape and employer demands.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,559 | $33.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,787 | $39.80 |
Median Salary Position
8.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,897 (2026 est.). At $59,570, the local median is 8.49% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fargo Paralegal Pay Compares
Fargo median: $59,570/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $59,869 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -8.49% less |
Paralegals in Fargo, ND earn a median of $59,570 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.49% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.50% below the North Dakota state average of $59,869.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $59,570 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,554 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,750
2025 BLS Actual
$57,550
2026 Current Est.
$59,570
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,570 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,661 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 18.1% from $48,750 (2019) to $57,550 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,661 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,911 (26.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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) | $46,890 – $46,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,890 – $59,570 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,570 – $69,559 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,559 – $82,787 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Fargo
Fargo’s paralegal job market employs approximately 310 professionals, providing a stable workforce for the community. The cost of living index stands at 90.871, indicating that while salaries may be lower compared to the national average, the purchasing power for residents can be more favorable due to overall lower living costs. Among local employers, salaries vary significantly based on the firm size and specialty, with larger law firms often offering the top compensation, particularly for roles in e-discovery or corporate law. General practice positions may attract lower wages, while public service roles like those in government legal offices may offer additional benefits rather than higher pay. Maximizing pay in Fargo might involve pursuing certifications like the NALA CP or NFPA RP, focusing on specialty areas that are in demand, and considering opportunities in both corporate and law firm settings.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
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 $57,550 for paralegalsin the Fargo 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