How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Des Moines?
$60,080a year
Median yearly pay for paralegal and legal assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $28.88 an hour or $5,007 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.88
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 127 of 376
- Jobs in the area
- 1,190
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,490Median: $60,080Highest 10%: $89,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,490 | $18.02 | |
| 25th | $48,570 | $23.35 | |
| Median | $60,080 | $28.88 | |
| 75th | $76,930 | $36.99 | |
| 90th | $89,920 | $43.23 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for paralegal and legal assistants.
| Iowa City, IA | $66,400 |
| Omaha, NE | $64,230 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $57,420 |
| Davenport, IA | $57,030 |
| Sioux City, IA | $56,100 |
| Dubuque, IA | $55,740 |
| Ames, IA | $53,180 |
| Waterloo, IA | $48,030 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Judge | $147,500 |
| Lawyer | $134,600 |
| Administrative Law Judge | $127,500 |
| Legal Support Worker | $44,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $28.88 ($60,080 a year).
Do paralegal and legal assistants make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $60,080 against $62,890 nationally, 4% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $54,550, so Des Moines pays 10% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for paralegal and legal assistant pay?
127 of 376 metro areas with data.
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $37,490 or less a year; the top 10% make $89,920 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.