Iowa ranks 39th of 51 states and D.C. for paralegals and legal assistants pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($99,300) by $46,020 — a 86% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $37,480 to $78,640 — a $41,160 spread, 31% tighter than the national $59,280 range.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants are less concentrated in Iowa than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.68 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.47× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| 25th percentile | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,280 | $25.62 |
| 75th percentile | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| Mean (average) | $56,060 | $26.95 |
How Iowa Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa (current) | $53,280 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $99,300 | +86% |
| Washington | $78,010 | +46% |
| Massachusetts | $74,990 | +41% |
| Colorado | $73,380 | +38% |
| California | $72,960 | +37% |
| Minnesota | $67,320 | +26% |
| New York | $66,390 | +25% |
| Oregon | $63,970 | +20% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Iowa
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $53,210 | 350 |
| Machinists | $53,400 | 3,010 |
| Paramedics | $53,470 | 1,110 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $52,890 | 1,210 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $52,780 | 1,820 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $53,810 | 2,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Iowa?
The mean paralegals and legal assistants salary in Iowa is $56,060 per year. The median (middle) salary is $53,280 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Iowa?
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistantss (10th percentile) in Iowa typically earn around $37,480 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $45,180 per year.
What is the highest Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Iowa?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Iowa make approximately $78,640 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $64,440 per year.
How does the Iowa Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary compare to the national average?
The median paralegals and legal assistants salary in Iowa is $53,280, which is -13% below national average of $61,010.