Paralegal Salary in Moline, IL: $60,078 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Moline, IL earns a median $60,078/year (≈ $28.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Moline's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $61,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Moline, Illinois, paralegals can expect to earn a median annual salary of $60,078 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $65,097. The salary range for paralegals here varies significantly, with the lowest earners (P10) making $43,313 and the highest earners (P90) earning up to $91,848. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, taking into account local cost adjustments that reflect Moline's lower-than-average cost of living, with an index of 97.1. While corporate in-house roles tend to offer better work-life balance, positions in prominent law firms, including BigLaw, may yield higher pay, albeit often accompanied by longer hours. Overall, Moline's legal job market provides valuable opportunities in an evolving compensation landscape.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,313 | $20.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,005 | $23.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,078 | $28.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,556 | $36.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,848 | $44.16 |
Median Salary Position
7.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moline
In Moline, IL, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,535 (2026 est.). At $60,078, the local median is 7.71% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moline Paralegal Pay Compares
Moline median: $60,078/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,064 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -7.71% less |
Paralegals in Moline, IL earn a median of $60,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.71% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.20% below the Illinois state average of $62,064.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moline has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moline, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $60,078 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,872 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,751
2025 BLS Actual
$58,041
2026 Current Est.
$60,078
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,751 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,895 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,636 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,348 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,041 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,078 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,187 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moline metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $47,751 (2019) to $58,041 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,187 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,436 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline 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) | $43,313 – $48,005 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,005 – $60,078 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,078 – $75,556 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,556 – $91,848 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Moline
Looking at the local job market, there are only 10 paralegals currently employed in Moline, which highlights a niche but stable sector. The cost of living index suggests that paralegals can enjoy a decent purchasing power, though the salaries may not be as competitive as in larger cities. In this market, in-house corporate legal departments often pay more than public sector jobs such as those found in district attorney and public defender offices. The pay disparity can be attributed to firm size, legal specializations such as e-discovery, and the added value of certifications from recognized bodies like NALA or NFPA. Those looking to maximize their paralegal pay in Moline should consider pursuing these certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, or gaining bilingual skills that can provide an additional pay premium, particularly in Spanish or Mandarin.
More salary data for Moline, IL:
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 $58,041 for paralegalsin the Moline 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 Moline 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