Paralegal Salary

Paralegal Hourly Pay in Maplewood, MN: $28.72 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Maplewood, MN runs $28.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,754 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Maplewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,848 per year.

$59,754
Median Annual Salary
$28.72/hr
Hourly Rate
$45,831
Entry Level (P10)
$92,619
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Paralegal Hourly Rate in Maplewood, MN — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Maplewood, MN paralegal hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the median paralegal hourly pay in Maplewood, MN, is projected to be $28.72, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.30. This hourly wage is indicative of the local economic environment and the level of demand for paralegal services within various settings such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. For those working part-time, such as a paralegal employed three days a week, the earnings can add up to a reasonable income while allowing for flexibility. Entry-level positions start at an hourly rate of approximately $22.04, while experienced professionals can earn up to $44.53 per hour. Given that these estimates derive from annual salary data, the ranges reflect the various roles paralegals can occupy, whether in cubicles at law firms or remote work environments specializing in e-discovery.

About the Maplewood Market

Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$22.04$176.30
Lower Range (P25)$23.87$190.96
Median (P50)$28.72$229.79
Upper Range (P75)$36.41$291.32
Top Earners (P90)$44.53$356.24

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Maplewood

Based on $28.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a paralegal in Maplewood earning $28.72/hr would make approximately $34,469 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $59,746 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$34,469Reduced (32 hr/wk)$45,958Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$59,746

At $28.72/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Maplewood, MN can expect to earn approximately $59,746 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,469. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Maplewood.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$229.79
per 8hr shift
$1,148.96
per week
$4,979
per month
$59,746
per year

Schedule Comparison in Maplewood

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,148.96$4,979$59,746
Part-Time (24 hrs)$689.38$2,987$35,848
Per Diem (16 hrs)$459.58$1,992$23,898

Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Paralegal (Maplewood)$28.72
Lawyer (National Avg)$81.25
Legal Secretary (National Avg)$26.86
Court Reporter (National Avg)$30.10
Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg)$29.85
Horizontal bar chart comparing paralegal median salary in Maplewood ($59,754) with Minnesota average ($61,986) and the US national median ($65,097).Maplewood$59,754Minnesota Avg$61,986-3.60%US National$65,097-8.21%

Paralegals in Maplewood, MN earn a median of $59,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.21% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.60% below the Minnesota state average of $61,986.

Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $28.72/hr = $35,848/year (purchasing power: $36,393).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,746/year (purchasing power: $60,656).

CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$22.83/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$27.75/hr

2026 Current Est.

$28.72/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+30.2%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Maplewood (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for paralegals in Maplewood. Baseline $22.83/hr in 2025, projected to $29.73/hr by 2027.$21$24$26$29$312019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$22.83$23.35$24.81$26.12$26.90$28.30$27.75$28.72$29.73
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$22.83/hrActual
2020$23.35/hrActual
2021$24.81/hrActual
2022$26.12/hrActual
2023$26.90/hrActual
2024$28.30/hrActual
2025$27.75/hrActual
2026(current)$28.72/hrEstimated
2027$29.73/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Maplewood grew 21.6% from $22.83/hr (2019) to $27.75/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.73/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maplewood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Maplewood

Part-time paralegals working in Maplewood can expect their annual earnings to be significantly lower than those of full-time counterparts. For example, a paralegal working a 24-hour week at the median hourly rate ultimately earns less than a full-time equivalent, impacting long-term financial growth. In contrast, per diem and contract paralegal work is increasingly prevalent, with many professionals billing between $25 and $50 per hour. Niche roles within e-discovery can command $30 to $60 per hour, while freelance paralegals may charge up to $75 per hour, depending on their expertise. The differences in compensation reflect the employer type as well; law firms often pay differently than corporate legal departments or governmental entities, each presenting its own set of benefits. Some paralegals opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, while others pursue higher pay rates without such perks. When negotiating hourly rates, understanding local market conditions, and emphasizing specialized skill sets, such as e-discovery capabilities, can significantly influence pay scales in the Maplewood area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Maplewood in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for paralegals in Maplewood is $28.72/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.51% annual growth). Rates range from $22.04 at entry level (10th percentile) to $44.53 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 8.2% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time paralegals make in Maplewood?

A part-time paralegal working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Maplewood earns approximately $2,987/month, or $35,848/year at the median hourly rate of $28.72. Many paralegals prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are paralegals in Maplewood paid hourly or salary?

The majority of paralegals in Maplewood are paid hourly at a median rate of $28.72/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $59,746/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Maplewood?

A full-time paralegal working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Maplewood earns approximately $59,746/year at the median hourly rate of $28.72. This is 8.2% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $92,622/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Maplewood?

Part-time and per diem paralegals in Maplewood sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $44.53/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Garcia, CLAData verified by Ayesha Khan, CP

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 Maplewood. 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 Maplewood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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