Paralegal Salary in Des Moines, WA: $65,168 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Des Moines, WA earns a median $65,168/year (≈ $31.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $60,678 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Des Moines, WA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $65,168, which is slightly above the national median of $65,097. The compensation range for paralegals here is broad, spanning from $47,378 at the lower end (P10) to $101,010 for those at the higher end (P90). These figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for local economic conditions and cost of living adjustments, such as the area's cost index of 107.4. In-house corporate paralegals often enjoy more stable work-life balance, with salaries that reflect this trade-off, while those employed by law firms might command higher pay, albeit often at the cost of longer hours. As such, the job market for paralegals in Des Moines offers diverse opportunities, appealing to different lifestyle preferences and career goals.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,378 | $22.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,364 | $25.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,168 | $31.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,241 | $39.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,010 | $48.57 |
Median Salary Position
0.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,632 (2026 est.). At $65,168, the local median is 0.11% above the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Paralegal Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $65,168/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $65,760 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | +0.11% more |
Paralegals in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $65,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.11% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $65,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,168 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,678 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,796
2025 BLS Actual
$62,958
2026 Current Est.
$65,168
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,796 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,977 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,291 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,264 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,036 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,485 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,958 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,168 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,455 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $51,796 (2019) to $62,958 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,455 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,659 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $47,378 – $52,364 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,364 – $65,168 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,168 – $82,241 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,241 – $101,010 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Des Moines
Currently, there are only seven paralegals employed within Des Moines, indicating a relatively small but potentially competitive local job market. The cost of living index suggests that while salaries offer a decent standard of living, they might require careful financial planning. Employers in Des Moines include a mix of law firms, in-house corporate legal departments, and government offices, with larger entities typically offering higher compensation. Factors influencing the salary spectrum include the type of firm, legal specialty—where e-discovery positions typically pay more—and professional certifications such as those from NALA or NFPA. Moreover, bilingual paralegals, especially those fluent in Spanish or Mandarin, may also experience higher salaries. To maximize pay in this market, securing certifications, gaining expertise in niche areas, and considering roles with corporate legal teams could prove beneficial for aspiring paralegals in Des Moines.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
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 $62,958 for paralegalsin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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