Paralegal salary in Iowa
The median paralegal in Iowa earns $54,550 a year, or $26.23 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 13% below the national median of $62,890, and 44th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Iowa’s 2,980 paralegals earn between $47,820 and $66,560. The highest paying metro area in the state is Iowa City, IA, at $66,400.
Liaison does the routine half of a paralegal’s job for 10% of what one costs in Iowa. See how.
Paralegal salary by city in Iowa
Every metro area in Iowa where BLS publishes a median for paralegals, highest first. A metro that crosses a state line appears under each of its states.
| Metro area | Median annual | Median hourly | Middle half earns | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $66,400 | $31.92 | $54,730 to $83,520 | 330 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $64,230 | $30.88 | $50,490 to $76,760 | 1,010 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $60,080 | $28.89 | $48,570 to $76,930 | 1,190 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $57,420 | $27.61 | $47,520 to $63,590 | 310 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $57,030 | $27.42 | $48,060 to $65,980 | 280 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $56,100 | $26.97 | $48,270 to $62,650 | 80 |
| Dubuque, IA | $55,740 | $26.80 | $48,350 to $62,280 | 80 |
| Ames, IA | $53,180 | $25.57 | $48,430 to $63,440 | 60 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $48,030 | $23.09 | $47,490 to $59,930 | 120 |
What a paralegal costs an employer in Iowa
Wages are the start. At employers with fewer than 50 workers, benefits add 35% on top (BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation), so a paralegal at the Iowa median costs about $73,600 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what a paralegal costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of a paralegal’s job, for 10% of what one costs in Iowa.
- Reads the inbox, the calendar and the matter files together, so every follow-up knows the matter.
- Drafts the routine client updates and the chase for the missing document, in your voice.
- Keeps deadlines, intake and billing details current across the tools the firm runs.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $73,600 a year for a paralegal at the Iowa median once benefits are added. On Professional we connect your tools, bring your data in and set up the first rules with you. Anything that moves money waits for your yes.
“Cut our month-end close from 4 days to 4 hours.” Marcus C., owner
$629 a month, or $500 a month on a 12-month term. Prefer to start on your own? Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with a free trial first: 7 days, no card. More: AI for law firms.
Questions
How much does a paralegal make in Iowa?
The median paralegal in Iowa earned $54,550 a year, or $26.23 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $47,820 and $66,560. Nationally the median is $62,890, so Iowa pays 13% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Iowa pay paralegals the most?
Iowa City, IA ($66,400), Omaha, NE-IA ($64,230) and Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($60,080).
What does a paralegal cost an employer in Iowa?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a paralegal at the Iowa median costs about $73,600 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/paralegal.
Paralegal salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 23-2011. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
See it on your own business.
Thirty minutes with us, on your own tools. Bring the thing that eats your evenings and watch it get handled from your own inbox, calendar and books.
Professional is $629 a month and we set it up with you. Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with the free trial first: 7 days, no card. Every plan is on the pricing page.