Missouri's average paralegal salary of $64,380 places it below Illinois ($72,310) but above Kansas ($57,680) and Tennessee ($60,790) among nearby states. Ohio is nearly identical at $64,180, so employers competing for candidates across the Missouri-Ohio corridor will find compensation expectations closely aligned. If you are recruiting from Illinois, budget for candidates who may expect salaries closer to $72,310.
Paralegal salary in Missouri (2026)
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The average paralegal salary in Missouri is $64,380 per year. A small pool of high earners at the top of the market pulls that average upward, so the median of $61,410 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Missouri employs 7,130 paralegals, and the $2,970 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior paralegals in Missouri typically earn around $42,150, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $96,820 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 | $61,410 |
Average Annual Salary | $64,380 |
vs. National Average | 7.6% below the national mean of $69,700 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 7,130 employed paralegals across Missouri.
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Paralegal salary percentiles in Missouri
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $42,150 |
25th Percentile | $47,520 |
75th Percentile | $75,980 |
90th Percentile | $96,820 |
Employers setting offers for entry-level paralegals in Missouri should expect to anchor near $42,150, while roles requiring deeper experience or specialization will push toward $96,820 and beyond. The spread from the 25th to the 75th percentile, $47,520 to $75,980, captures the range where most competitive offers for mid-career candidates will land.
Paralegal salary by city in Missouri
City | Average Annual Salary |
Kansas City | $68,680 |
St. Louis | $64,720 |
Springfield | $58,710 |
Columbia | $57,590 |
Joplin | $55,600 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer, so employers hiring in Kansas City should budget noticeably more than those hiring in smaller markets. Kansas City averages $68,680 compared to $55,600 in Joplin, a difference of $13,080 per year. If your role is remote or hybrid, the city where the candidate is based should still anchor your compensation range.
How Missouri compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Missouri | $64,380 | $61,410 |
Illinois | $72,310 | $63,670 |
Ohio | $64,180 | $60,420 |
Indiana | $61,830 | $57,030 |
Tennessee | $60,790 | $58,820 |
Kansas | $57,680 | $55,000 |
Missouri sits in the middle of the regional market, making it a cost-effective location relative to Illinois but broadly comparable to Ohio and Indiana. Illinois commands a notably higher average at $72,310, while Kansas comes in lower at $57,680, giving Missouri employers a reasonable competitive position when recruiting across state lines. Candidates relocating from Illinois may carry higher salary expectations, so factor that into your offer strategy.
Frequently asked questions about paralegal salary in Missouri
How does Missouri compare to other states for paralegal salary?
What do the top-earning paralegals make in Missouri?
Paralegals at the 90th percentile in Missouri earn $96,820 per year. Senior specialists with deep experience in high-demand practice areas are the candidates most likely to command offers at or above that level. When budgeting for a senior hire, treat $96,820 as a threshold that experienced candidates can reach or exceed, not as a ceiling.
What is the salary range for a paralegal in Missouri?
The published salary range for paralegals in Missouri runs from $42,150 at the 10th percentile to $96,820 at the 90th percentile. Most offers for mid-career candidates will fall between the 25th and 75th percentile range of $47,520 to $75,980. Use the seniority and specialization of your specific role to determine where within that range your offer should land.
What is the average paralegal salary in Missouri?
The average paralegal salary in Missouri is $64,380 per year, with a median of $61,410. The $2,970 gap between those two figures reflects a segment of higher-compensated roles pulling the average above the midpoint. For most hiring decisions, the median of $61,410 is the more grounded benchmark to use when 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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