Paralegal Salary in Rochester, MN: $63,379 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Rochester, MN earns a median $63,379/year (≈ $30.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $69,785 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected 2026 data indicates that a paralegal in Rochester, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $63,379, slightly lower than the national median of $65,097. This salary range varies considerably, from $47,118 at the 10th percentile to $100,032 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting Rochester's evolving legal market, particularly as the demand for e-discovery professionals grows. The increasing complexity of cases often necessitates skilled paralegals specializing in tools like Relativity, which can significantly enhance earning potential and position within the legal field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,118 | $22.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,082 | $24.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,379 | $30.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,858 | $38.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,032 | $48.09 |
Median Salary Position
2.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,914 (2026 est.). At $63,379, the local median is 2.64% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Paralegal Pay Compares
Rochester median: $63,379/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $62,015 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -2.64% less |
Paralegals in Rochester, MN earn a median of $63,379 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.20% above the Minnesota state average of $62,015.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $63,379 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,785 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,780
2025 BLS Actual
$61,230
2026 Current Est.
$63,379
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,379 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,604 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 30.9% from $46,780 (2019) to $61,230 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,604 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,824 (40.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $47,118 – $51,082 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,082 – $63,379 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,379 – $79,858 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,858 – $100,032 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Rochester
Job opportunities for paralegals remain robust in Rochester, with approximately 200 professionals currently employed in the area. Given the city's cost of living index of 90.821, which is below the national average, paralegals may find their purchasing power to be more favorable when considering salary. Employers such as large law firms and corporate legal departments typically offer higher pay, thus distinguishing themselves from smaller firms and public sector roles. Factors like the tier of the firm—where BigLaw firms generally pay more than mid-sized or boutique shops—alongside specialized skills in e-discovery or certifications from NALA or NFPA, often correlate with the salary spread. To maximize earnings in this market, focusing on obtaining additional certifications and gaining experience in high-demand areas such as corporate law or e-discovery can provide a competitive advantage.
More salary data for Rochester, 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
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 $61,230 for paralegalsin the Rochester 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