Idaho has been an emerging national player in terms of economic growth in recent years, landing a spot among the top states for business by Forbes and receiving a positive forecast from Moody’s for its future economic growth. Agriculture continues to support Idaho’s economy, of course, but tech companies and the mining and tourism industries are also making a name for themselves here.
Idaho’s diverse, dynamic economy bodes well for paralegals here, whether they’re flexing their paralegal skillset in corporate law with major companies like Oracle or Hewlett-Packard or working their way up in a legal specialty like family law, litigation, or civil rights law with a national law firm like Boise’s Bailey & Glasser LLP or Givens Pursley LLP.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in Idaho
Idaho’s average paralegal salary, as of May 2020, was $49,830, or $23.95 per hour. While this was slightly less than the national average of $56,610 during this time, a lower cost of living in the Hawkeye State allows this salary to remain on par with what paralegals are earning in other parts of the country.
There’s plenty of room to grow in the paralegal profession in Idaho, as is evident by what the top earners here bring home. During this period, the top 10% of paralegals in Idaho earned about $70,370, or $33.83 per hour – more than $20,000 more than the state average. Extensive experience, particularly in a legal specialty like litigation or family law, is what you’ll need to climb the career ladder in Idaho’s paralegal profession.
Industry trends from the American Bar Association reveal that the number of active lawyers in Idaho rose a truly impressive 13.4% in the last decade (2011-2021), thereby creating a legal services industry that’s ripe with opportunities for paralegals.
Average Paralegal Salary in Idaho by City
Boise City pulled out ahead from the state’s other metro areas for its paralegal salary as of May 2020. This is not a surprise, given that Boise City has long been recognized for its business-friendly environment and career opportunities. Boise City’s diversified economy offers options for paralegals with varying legal backgrounds ranging from government to manufacturing to agriculture. The city has also developed a robust high-tech industry that can benefit paralegals with expertise in intellectual property and patent law.
Boise City:
Average – $55,700 ($26.81 hourly)
Top 10% – $74,960 ($36.04 hourly)
Coeur d’Alene:
Average – $39,340 ($18.91 hourly)
Top 10% – $54,230 ($26.07 hourly)
Idaho Falls:
Average – $49,140 ($23.63 hourly)
Top 10% – $74,500 ($35.82 hourly)
Pocatello:
Average – $43,460 ($20.90 hourly)
Top 10% – $60,560 ($29.12 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.