Largely supported by the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, the state’s economic hub and home to major corporations like Target, General Mills, and 3M, Minnesota has enjoyed a strong economy that’s backed by a business-friendly environment and high quality of life. As such, the state offers no shortage of opportunities for paralegals, both in traditional settings like law firms and municipal and district courts, as well as with corporate legal departments.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in Minnesota
According to the American Bar Association, the number of active lawyers in Minnesota has increased by an impressive 11.8% in the last decade (2011-2021). This type of exciting growth has translated to the paralegal profession, which continues to post positive job numbers. In fact, as of May 2020, the Northwest Minnesota region of the state fourth in the nation for its number of paralegal jobs.
During this time period, paralegals in Minnesota earned an average salary of $58,270, or $28.01 per hour. And while this number is strong, it’s the top earners in the state that reveal the earning power of this profession. The top 10% of paralegals in Minnesota—likely those with extensive experience, industry credentials, and specialized knowledge in one or more legal specialties like civil rights law, corporate law, family law, or commercial litigation— earned about $83,870, or $40.32 per hour.
Average Paralegal Salary in Minnesota by City
The Twin Cities metro area powers Minnesota’s economic engine, so it is no surprise that salaries for paralegals here exceed the state average. The average paralegal salary of $61,130 in this region exceeds the state’s average by about $3,000 annually.
Duluth:
Average – $49,530 ($23.81 hourly)
Top 10% – $65,360 ($31.42 hourly)
Mankato-North Mankato:
Average – $51,870 ($24.94 hourly)
Top 10% – $69,210 ($33.27 hourly)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington:
Average – $61,130 ($29.39 hourly)
Top 10% – $87,630 ($42.13 hourly)
Rochester:
Average – $48,160 ($23.15 hourly)
Top 10% – $62,350 ($29.98 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.