Paralegal Salary in Des Moines, IA: $62,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Des Moines, IA earns a median $62,189/year (≈ $29.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $67,817 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Des Moines, IA, are projected to earn an annual median salary of $62,189, reflecting a competitive position relative to the national median of $65,097. The salary range for paralegals spans from $38,806 at the 10th percentile to as much as $93,076 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the significant variance driven by firm size and practice area. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrates how paralegal pay in Des Moines is influenced by the structural divide among legal firms. Large law firms typically offer higher salaries but demand longer hours, while mid-sized and small firms may provide more favorable work-life balance. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for paralegals seeking employment in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,806 | $18.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,275 | $24.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,189 | $29.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,630 | $38.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,076 | $44.75 |
Median Salary Position
4.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,270 (2026 est.). At $62,189, the local median is 4.47% below 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: $62,189/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $58,558 | +6.20% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -4.47% less |
Paralegals in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $62,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.47% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 6.20% above the Iowa state average of $58,558.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $62,189 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,817 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,270
2025 BLS Actual
$60,080
2026 Current Est.
$62,189
2019–2027 Growth
+14.4%
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 | $56,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 6.8% from $56,270 (2019) to $60,080 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,102 (14.40%) 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) | $38,806 – $50,275 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,275 – $62,189 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,189 – $79,630 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,630 – $93,076 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Des Moines
Given that approximately 1,190 paralegals are employed in Des Moines, the local job market is relatively robust, further supported by a cost-of-living index of 91.701, which allows for enhanced purchasing power compared to other regions. The highest-paying opportunities are often found within BigLaw firms and in-house corporate legal departments, with specialties such as e-discovery commanding premium salaries. Factors driving the disparity in pay levels include firm size, area of specialty, and certification status—paralegals with NALA or NFPA credentials often access better compensation. Additionally, bilingual skills can enhance earnings in an increasingly diverse legal landscape. To maximize paralegal pay in Des Moines, professionals should consider focusing on in-demand specialties, seeking additional certifications, and exploring contract or freelance work options, which can occasionally offer competitive rates.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
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 $60,080 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
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