Paralegal Salary

Barberton vs Cleveland: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Barberton, OH and Cleveland, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barberton, OH
$57,204
$27.50/hr
Cleveland, OH
$63,100
$30.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarberton, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$57,204$63,100
Hourly Rate$27.50$30.34
Entry Level (P10)$42,531$44,934
25th Percentile$46,483$51,382
75th Percentile$71,460$81,048
Top Earner (P90)$88,666$97,858
Total Employed62,960
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barberton ($57,204) and Cleveland ($63,100) paralegal salaries.BarbertonClevelandMedian Salary$57,204$63,100Entry Level (P10)$42,531$44,934Top Earner (P90)$88,666$97,858US Median $65,097

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Barberton.

The salary gap between Barberton and Cleveland is $5,896 (10.31%). Cleveland's median is -3.07% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barberton spans $46,135,Cleveland spans $52,924. Cleveland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Barberton
P10 (Entry)$42,531
P25$46,483
Median$57,204
P75$71,460
P90 (Top)$88,666
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$44,934
P25$51,382
Median$63,100
P75$81,048
P90 (Top)$97,858

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($67,183 effective) pays 6.52% more than Barberton ($63,069 effective).

Barberton
Nominal: $57,204
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $63,069
Cleveland
Nominal: $63,100
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $67,183

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barberton if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,100/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,858)
  • Larger job market (2,960 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,183)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Barberton grew 10.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.0% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Barberton, OH

+10.6%

$49,948 (2024) → $55,264 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+33.0%

$45,840 (2019) → $60,960 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Barberton or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median paralegal salary at $63,100/year, compared to Barberton at $57,204/year — a difference of $5,896 (10.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barberton and Cleveland?

Barberton paralegals earn $27.50/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $30.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barberton to Cleveland as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barberton and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barberton = $63,069, Cleveland = $67,183), job availability (6 vs 2,960 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Barberton vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $42,531 in Barberton and $44,934 in Cleveland. The Cleveland 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