Paralegal Salary

Cedar Rapids vs Davenport: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Cedar Rapids, IA and Davenport, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cedar Rapids, IA
$59,435
$28.58/hr
Davenport, IA
$59,032
$28.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCedar Rapids, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$59,435$59,032
Hourly Rate$28.58$28.38
Entry Level (P10)$39,230$39,624
25th Percentile$49,188$49,747
75th Percentile$65,822$68,296
Top Earner (P90)$79,558$84,019
Total Employed310280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cedar Rapids ($59,435) and Davenport ($59,032) paralegal salaries.Cedar RapidsDavenportMedian Salary$59,435$59,032Entry Level (P10)$39,230$39,624Top Earner (P90)$79,558$84,019US Median $65,097

Verdict

Cedar Rapids, IA offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Davenport.

The salary gap between Cedar Rapids and Davenport is $403 (0.68%). Cedar Rapids's median is -8.70% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cedar Rapids spans $40,328,Davenport spans $44,395. Davenport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Cedar Rapids
P10 (Entry)$39,230
P25$49,188
Median$59,435
P75$65,822
P90 (Top)$79,558
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$39,624
P25$49,747
Median$59,032
P75$68,296
P90 (Top)$84,019

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cedar Rapids ($66,809 effective) pays 0.81% more than Davenport ($66,269 effective).

Cedar Rapids
Nominal: $59,435
CoL Index: 88.963
Adjusted: $66,809
Davenport
Nominal: $59,032
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $66,269

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cedar Rapids if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,435/year)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,809)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,019)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Cedar Rapids grew 20.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.7% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Cedar Rapids, IA

+20.4%

$47,710 (2019) → $57,420 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+16.7%

$48,880 (2019) → $57,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Cedar Rapids or Davenport?

Cedar Rapids has a higher median paralegal salary at $59,435/year, compared to Davenport at $59,032/year — a difference of $403 (0.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cedar Rapids and Davenport?

Cedar Rapids paralegals earn $28.58/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $28.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cedar Rapids to Davenport as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cedar Rapids and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cedar Rapids = $66,809, Davenport = $66,269), job availability (310 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Cedar Rapids vs Davenport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $39,230 in Cedar Rapids and $39,624 in Davenport. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
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