Iowa Median
$54,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $62,890
State Rank
#44 of 51
2,980 employed here
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in Iowa?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Iowa take home a median of $54,550 annually — roughly $26.23 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $62,890.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $37,900 while the top 10% make $83,520 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,820 and $66,560 a year.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,900 | $18.22 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,820 | $22.99 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,550 | $26.23 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $66,560 | $32.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,520 | $40.15 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in other states
District of Columbia $89,750Washington $79,400Colorado $78,190Massachusetts $77,640California $77,390Minnesota $75,570New Jersey $71,500Alaska $68,700New York $68,410Vermont $67,160Maryland $65,640Nevada $64,680Virginia $63,990Connecticut $63,820Illinois $63,670Pennsylvania $63,370Nebraska $63,250Utah $63,220Delaware $63,110Hawaii $62,840Maine $62,420Georgia $62,400Texas $62,310Michigan $62,170New Hampshire $62,040Arizona $61,630Oregon $61,490Missouri $61,410Florida $61,000Ohio $60,420Louisiana $60,250New Mexico $59,840Kentucky $59,830North Dakota $59,430West Virginia $59,000Tennessee $58,820Wisconsin $58,500South Dakota $58,320North Carolina $57,500Montana $57,290Indiana $57,030Rhode Island $56,250Kansas $55,000South Carolina $53,880Oklahoma $53,170Idaho $49,690Wyoming $49,490Arkansas $47,420Alabama $47,260Mississippi $46,180
Working as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Iowa
Nationally, about 393,000 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($54,550) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in Iowa?
The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Iowa is $54,550 per year, or about $26.23 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,900 at the entry level to $83,520 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Paralegals and Legal Assistants about 13% less than the national median of $62,890. Iowa ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $54,550 a year. About 2,980 Paralegals and Legal Assistants are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary report
Related salaries
$117,860
median pay · 16,000 employed
$72,110
median pay · 47,000 employed
$58,650
median pay · 49,000 employed
$64,920
median pay · 13,000 employed
$159,670
median pay · 755,000 employed
$153,990
median pay · 24,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.