Missouri’s steadfast aerospace, advanced manufacturing, chemical, and food processing industries and recognition as one the top states on the nation for its low cost of doing business, tech manufacturing growth, and economic recovery have created a strong legal services industry where opportunities for paralegals are varied and plentiful. From the corporate law departments of major companies like Emerson Electric and O’Reilly Automotive to governmental agencies, nonprofits, and regional and national law firms, paralegals with the right blend of education and know how are always in demand in Missouri.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in Missouri
As of May 2020, Missouri was home to about 6,860 paralegal jobs, which was much higher than the number of paralegal jobs in the neighboring states of Kansas (2,450), Arkansas (2,160), and Oklahoma (2,690).
According to the American Bar Association, the number of active lawyers in Missouri has grown steadily in the last decade, rising from 23,933 in 2011 to 24,369 in 2021, thereby creating a growing legal services environment that’s always in need of qualified and competent paralegals.
The average salary for Missouri paralegals was $48,260, or $23.20 as of May 2021. The top 10% of all paralegals in the state earned about $69,280, or $33.31 per hour during this time, revealing that Missouri’s paralegal profession is ripe with opportunities for advancement for those with significant experience that likely includes specialized knowledge in one or more areas of law.
Average Paralegal Salary in Missouri by City
As of May 2020, paralegal salaries in Jefferson City soared past salaries in other metro regions of Missouri. Not surprising, as Jefferson City enjoys a highly skilled and educated workforce and is home to some of the state’s top industries in manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and hospitality.
Jefferson City:
Average – $54,840 ($26.37 hourly)
Top 10% – $115,000 ($55.29 hourly)
Kansas City:
Average – $50,150 ($24.11 hourly)
Top 10% – $72,580 ($34.89 hourly)
Springfield:
Average – $38,150 ($18.34 hourly)
Top 10% – $55,280 ($26.58 hourly)
Saint Joseph:
Average – $40,730 ($19.58 hourly)
Top 10% – $65,250 ($31.37 hourly)
Saint Louis:
Average – $51,690 ($24.85 hourly)
Top 10% – $74,790 ($35.96 hourly)
May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, growth, and job market trends for paralegals and legal assistants. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2021.