Paralegal Salary

Albany vs Augusta: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Albany, GA and Augusta, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albany, GA
$50,937
$24.49/hr
Augusta, GA
$53,370
$25.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, GAAugusta, GA
Median Salary$50,937$53,370
Hourly Rate$24.49$25.66
Entry Level (P10)$38,402$41,539
25th Percentile$47,532$48,733
75th Percentile$59,197$66,961
Top Earner (P90)$74,993$84,185
Total Employed140420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($50,937) and Augusta ($53,370) paralegal salaries.AlbanyAugustaMedian Salary$50,937$53,370Entry Level (P10)$38,402$41,539Top Earner (P90)$74,993$84,185US Median $65,097

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Albany.

The salary gap between Albany and Augusta is $2,433 (4.78%). Augusta's median is -18.01% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albany spans $36,591,Augusta spans $42,646. Augusta has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Albany
P10 (Entry)$38,402
P25$47,532
Median$50,937
P75$59,197
P90 (Top)$74,993
Augusta
P10 (Entry)$41,539
P25$48,733
Median$53,370
P75$66,961
P90 (Top)$84,185

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($58,101 effective) pays 0.05% more than Augusta ($58,072 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $50,937
CoL Index: 87.669
Adjusted: $58,101
Augusta
Nominal: $53,370
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $58,072

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albany if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,101)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,370/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,185)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Albany grew -6.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in Augusta over the same period.

Albany, GA

+-6.1%

$52,430 (2019) → $49,210 (2025)

Augusta, GA

+10.0%

$46,860 (2019) → $51,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Albany or Augusta?

Augusta has a higher median paralegal salary at $53,370/year, compared to Albany at $50,937/year — a difference of $2,433 (4.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Augusta?

Albany paralegals earn $24.49/hr while Augusta hygienists earn $25.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albany to Augusta as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Augusta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $58,101, Augusta = $58,072), job availability (140 vs 420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Albany vs Augusta?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $38,402 in Albany and $41,539 in Augusta. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, JD

Career Analyst

Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Garcia, CLAData verified by Ayesha Khan, CP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.51% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov