Paralegal Hourly Pay in Blaine, MN: $28.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Blaine, MN runs $28.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,196 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Blaine's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,119 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Blaine, Minnesota, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $28.94 in 2026. This figure stands below the national average of $31.30, reflecting both the regional market dynamics and the overall cost of living in the area. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this median rate translates to substantial earnings that can support various lifestyle choices despite not being full-time. The hourly range in Blaine extends from $20.96 at the entry-level to $44.86 for the highest earners, encompassing salaries from corporate paralegal roles, government positions, and freelance opportunities. This diversity in earnings is influenced by workplace settings, whether within law firms, corporate legal departments, or government offices, where paralegals commonly execute tasks like legal research, document preparation, and customer support, whether in person or through remote setups.
About the Blaine Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.96 | $167.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.23 | $185.82 |
| Median (P50) | $28.94 | $231.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.78 | $294.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.86 | $358.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Blaine
Based on $28.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.94/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Blaine, MN can expect to earn approximately $60,198 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,730. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Blaine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Blaine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,157.66 | $5,017 | $60,198 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $694.59 | $3,010 | $36,119 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.06 | $2,007 | $24,079 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Blaine) | $28.94 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Blaine, MN earn a median of $60,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.53% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.90% below the Minnesota state average of $61,994.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.94/hr = $36,119/year (purchasing power: $36,669).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,198/year (purchasing power: $61,115).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Blaine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Blaine grew 21.6% from $23.00/hr (2019) to $27.96/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.96/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blaine 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.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Blaine
Considering part-time employment, a paralegal working 24 hours a week could expect an annual income of nearly $36,000, significantly less than a full-time counterpart but still viable for many. When examining per diem paralegal pay in Blaine, contract roles can range from $25 to $50 per hour, making this an attractive opportunity for those preferring flexibility. E-discovery specialists, particularly those trained in specific software, can command higher fees—$30 to $60 per hour—while freelance corporate paralegals may see rates climb even higher, up to $75 hourly. Hourly earnings can differ substantially depending on employer type, with law firms typically offering more competitive rates compared to non-profits or public sector roles where benefits might offset lower pay. Understanding the nuances of firm size and employment benefits is crucial for paralegals in Blaine when negotiating their rates, as many may choose lower pay in exchange for health insurance and stability.
More salary data for Blaine, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Blaine. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Blaine 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