Paralegal Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $51,020 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $51,020/year (≈ $24.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $58,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.8% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected paralegal salary in Grand Forks, North Dakota, stands at $51,020, which reflects a substantial gap compared to the national median of $65,097. Salaries for paralegals in the city range from $41,414 at the lower end to $77,508 for those at the extreme high end, based on data from official BLS OEWS surveys. The compensation dynamics in Grand Forks are influenced by the structural divide between large law firms, mid-sized practices, and smaller boutique operations. While BigLaw typically offers higher salaries, it often comes with demanding hours. Conversely, smaller firms or in-house legal departments may present more favorable work-life balances, although at a cost of lower pay. Understanding these nuances is critical for any paralegal navigating the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,414 | $19.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,612 | $23.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,768 | $30.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,508 | $37.26 |
Median Salary Position
21.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,094 (2026 est.). At $51,020, the local median is 21.62% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Forks Paralegal Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $51,020/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $59,883 | -14.80% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -21.62% less |
Paralegals in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $51,020 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.62% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 14.80% below the North Dakota state average of $59,883.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Forks, ND has a cost-of-living index of 86.663 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $51,020 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,872 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,570
2025 BLS Actual
$49,290
2026 Current Est.
$51,020
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,020 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,811 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 13.1% from $43,570 (2019) to $49,290 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,811 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,241 (21.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Forks 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) | $41,414 – $49,612 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,612 – $51,020 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,020 – $62,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,768 – $77,508 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Grand Forks
The job market for paralegals in Grand Forks is relatively stable, with approximately 110 individuals currently employed in this field. The cost of living in the area, reflected by an index of 86.663, allows for a more favorable take-home pay scenario compared to many other regions. This might alter the perception of paralegal pay in Grand Forks, ND, making it more palatable for residents. Employers such as mid-sized law firms and corporate legal departments often present some of the more competitive salaries, given the importance of specialized skills like e-discovery in driving higher pay. Various factors influence salary disparities, including firm tier, specialty areas, and certification status from recognized associations such as NALA or NFPA. Paralegals aiming to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing additional certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, or seeking opportunities in larger firms where compensation tends to be more lucrative.
More salary data for Grand Forks, 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 $49,290 for paralegalsin the Grand Forks 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