Paralegal and Legal Assistant Salary in Minneapolis, MN
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area earn a median $76,220 a year — 21% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,791 take-home, or $4,899 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paralegal and legal assistant salary in Minneapolis, MN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,938
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,726
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,105
- Minnesota income tax$3,660
- Take-home pay$58,791
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.80% state
The Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro spans Minnesota, Wisconsin. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Paralegal and Legal Assistant pay by experience in Minneapolis, MN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,230 | $23.67 | $39,912 | $3,326 |
| 25th percentile | $60,310 | $29.00 | $48,061 | $4,005 |
| Median (50th) | $76,220 | $36.64 | $58,791 | $4,899 |
| 75th percentile | $86,950 | $41.80 | $65,610 | $5,468 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,220 | $50.59 | $77,221 | $6,435 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Minnesota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,220 buys in Minneapolis, MN
Prices in Minneapolis, MN are 4.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paralegal and legal assistant's $58,791 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,087 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Minneapolis, MN has 1.2× the national concentration of paralegal and legal assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for paralegals and legal assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Minneapolis, MN ranks #6 of 36 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $92,900 | $74,185 | $66,753 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $80,500 | $62,628 | $59,205 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $81,590 | $62,262 | $57,182 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $79,850 | $61,232 | $56,557 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $78,550 | $59,993 | $56,242 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $76,220 | $58,791 | $56,087 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $66,720 | $55,768 | $55,648 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $63,880 | $51,443 | $55,588 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 36 metros →
About the job: paralegals and legal assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Minneapolis, MN?
The median paralegal and legal assistant salary in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area is $76,220 a year, or about $36.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,310 and $86,950.
What is a paralegal and legal assistant’s take-home pay in Minneapolis, MN?
On the median $76,220 salary, a single filer living in Minnesota takes home about $58,791 a year ($4,899 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,660 in Minnesota taxes in 2026.
Is Minneapolis, MN a good place to work as a paralegal and legal assistant?
Pay here is 21% above the national median of $62,890. Local prices are 4.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,087 would in a typical U.S. city. Minneapolis, MN ranks #6 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paralegal and legal assistant afford rent in Minneapolis, MN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Minneapolis, MN is $1,396 a month ($1,700 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median paralegal and legal assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Minneapolis, MN
- Lawyer — $159,620