Minnesota leads the regional peer group with a mean annual salary of $73,960, ahead of Illinois at $72,310, Michigan at $67,240, Ohio at $64,180, Wisconsin at $61,270, and Iowa at $58,780. This means employers in Minnesota should expect to pay more than most neighboring states to attract qualified candidates. If you are benchmarking offers against regional competitors, Minnesota's figures represent the higher end of the Midwest market.
Paralegal salary in Minnesota (2026)
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The average paralegal salary in Minnesota is $73,960 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $75,570 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Minnesota employs 7,400 paralegals, and the $1,610 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level paralegals in Minnesota typically earn around $47,730, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed the $102,920 level. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a paralegal hire, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $75,570 |
Average Annual Salary | $73,960 |
vs. National Average | 6.1% above the national mean of $69,700 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 7,400 employed paralegals across Minnesota.
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Paralegal salary percentiles in Minnesota
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $47,730 |
25th Percentile | $56,230 |
75th Percentile | $83,420 |
90th Percentile | $102,920 |
Employers setting an offer for a paralegal in Minnesota should expect a wide range depending on experience level. A candidate in the bottom quarter of the market will likely expect around $56,230, while those in the top quarter command $83,420 or more, giving you a practical band to work within based on the seniority of the role.
Paralegal salary by city in Minnesota
City | Average Annual Salary |
Minneapolis | $76,230 |
Rochester | $65,040 |
St. Cloud | $64,670 |
Mankato | $64,100 |
Duluth | $60,560 |
Where you hire within Minnesota will have a meaningful impact on your compensation budget. Minneapolis averages $76,230 per year, while Duluth averages $60,560, a difference of over $15,000 that should factor directly into your offer strategy if you have flexibility on location.
How Minnesota compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Minnesota | $73,960 | $75,570 |
Illinois | $72,310 | $63,670 |
Michigan | $67,240 | $62,170 |
Ohio | $64,180 | $60,420 |
Wisconsin | $61,270 | $58,500 |
Iowa | $58,780 | $54,550 |
Minnesota sits at the top of this regional peer group, so employers hiring here should expect compensation expectations to run higher than in neighboring states. Minnesota's mean of $73,960 exceeds Illinois at $72,310 and Wisconsin at $61,270, meaning candidates relocating from those markets may still find Minnesota offers competitive. Budget accordingly if you are recruiting from out of state, since local market rates will set the baseline for most candidates you interview.
Frequently asked questions about paralegal salary in Minnesota
How does Minnesota compare to other states for paralegal salary?
What do the top-earning paralegals make in Minnesota?
Paralegals at the 90th percentile in Minnesota earn $102,920 per year. Senior specialists with deep expertise in a practice area or complex litigation support are the candidates most likely to command figures at or above that level. Budget for this range if you are hiring for a senior or specialized role rather than a general support position.
What is the salary range for a paralegal in Minnesota?
The full salary range for paralegals in Minnesota runs from $47,730 at the 10th percentile to $102,920 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $56,230 at the 25th percentile and $83,420 at the 75th percentile, which is the band most employers will be working within. Use the seniority and specialization of your open role to determine where within that range your offer should land.
What is the average paralegal salary in Minnesota?
The average paralegal salary in Minnesota is $73,960 per year, which sits 6.1% above the national mean of $69,700. The median of $75,570 is slightly higher than the mean, which tells you the distribution is fairly balanced with no extreme outliers pulling the average far from the center. For most hiring decisions, the median is the more practical anchor for setting an initial offer.
Paralegal salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 23-2011 (Paralegals and Legal Assistants).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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