Skip to main content
LegalIowa (IA)

Paralegal Salary in Iowa

Take-home pay breakdown using 2025 tax rates โ€” single filer, standard deduction

$59,200
Gross Salary
national median
$47,356
Annual Take-Home
80.0% of gross
$3,946
Monthly Take-Home
after all taxes
$1,821
Bi-Weekly Paycheck
after all taxes

Full Tax Breakdown โ€” Iowa

Based on national median Paralegal salary of $59,200, single filer, 2025 tax year

Gross Annual Salary
$59,200
Deductions
Federal Income Tax
Effective rate: 8.6%
-$5,065
Iowa State Income Tax
Effective rate: 3.8%
-$2,250
Social Security Tax
6.2% up to wage base
-$3,670
Medicare Tax
1.45%
-$858
Total Taxes
20.0% effective rate
-$11,844
Net Take-Home Pay (Annual)
$47,356
Net Take-Home Pay (Monthly)
$3,946
Net Take-Home Pay (Bi-Weekly)
$1,821

Where Your Money Goes

Take-Home Pay$47,356 (80.0%)
Federal Income Tax$5,065 (8.6%)
Iowa State Tax$2,250 (3.8%)
FICA (SS + Medicare)$4,529 (7.7%)

Iowa vs. National Average

National Median Salary
$59,200
Used for calculations on this page
State Income Tax
$2,250/yr
Effective rate: 3.8%
Property Tax Rate
1.6%
Effective rate on home value
State Sales Tax
6.0%
State rate (local rates may vary)

Flat 3.8% as of 2025 (reduced from graduated rates). Retirement income exempt for those 55+. Inheritance tax being phased out.

Frequently Asked Questions โ€” Paralegal in Iowa

How much does a Paralegal take home in Iowa?

On a national median salary of $59,200, a Paralegal in Iowa takes home approximately $47,356/year ($3,946/month) after federal income tax, Iowa state income tax, and FICA taxes. This represents an effective total tax rate of 20.0%.

What is the Iowa state income tax rate for a Paralegal?

On a $59,200 salary, the effective Iowa state income tax rate is 3.8%, resulting in $2,250 in state taxes annually. Iowa's marginal rate for this income level is higher, but credits and deductions reduce the effective rate.

How does Iowa compare to other states for Paralegals?

State tax burden is a key factor in take-home pay comparison. Iowa's 3.8% effective state tax rate places it in the middle range nationally. To compare all states, use the "Salary by State" table above.

What other taxes does a Paralegal pay in Iowa?

In addition to federal and state income taxes, workers pay FICA taxes: Social Security (6.2% on wages up to the $168,600 wage base in 2025) and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% surcharge on earnings over $200,000). Local income taxes may also apply in some Iowa cities. Iowa's property tax rate is 1.6%, and the state sales tax rate is 6.0%.

Calculations use 2025 federal and state tax rates. Single filer, standard deduction. Does not include local taxes, pre-tax retirement contributions, or employer benefits. Salary data sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS. Last updated: March 2025. For personalized calculations, use the Paycheck Calculator.