Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $50,520 -17.2% vs national
Median hourly $24.29
10th percentile $37,400
90th percentile $65,620
Employed locally 40
National median $61,010

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Paralegals and Legal Assistants
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,400
    25th
    $45,400
    50th (median)
    $50,520
    75th
    $63,600
    90th
    $65,620

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary vs area income 71% Median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $99,300
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,740
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $85,230
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $84,950
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $80,550
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,240

    Nearby metros — Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $99,300
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $80,550
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,240
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $77,990
    California $72,960
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $69,060

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lawyers$124,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Ames, IA is $24.29, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.82 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries?

    The median Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in Ames, IA is 17.2% below the national median of $61,010. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Ames?

    Entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $37,400 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,400.