Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay in Des Moines-West Des Moines
In Des Moines-West Des Moines (IA), the median pay for paralegals and legal assistants is $28.89 an hour ($60,080 a year). About 1,190 people work in this job there.
That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($62,890). It is 10% higher than the Iowa median ($54,550).
Pay range for paralegals and legal assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines (IA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.02 | $37,490 |
| 25% of workers | $23.35 | $48,570 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.89 | $60,080 |
| 75% of workers | $36.98 | $76,930 |
| 90% of workers | $43.23 | $89,920 |
Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $66,400 | 330 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines (this page) | $60,080 | 1,190 |
| Cedar Rapids | $57,420 | 310 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $57,030 | 280 |
| Sioux City | $56,100 | 80 |
| Dubuque | $55,740 | 80 |
| Ames | $53,180 | 60 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $48,030 | 120 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for paralegals and legal assistants
- Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: -0.3% over ten years, little or no change · about 40,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines (IA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $46,540 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,500 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $64,990 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.