Paralegal Salary

Centennial vs Denver: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Centennial, CO and Denver, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centennial, CO
$84,088
$40.43/hr
Denver, CO
$83,326
$40.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentennial, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$84,088$83,326
Hourly Rate$40.43$40.06
Entry Level (P10)$56,859$62,717
25th Percentile$64,667$70,511
75th Percentile$105,713$101,233
Top Earner (P90)$130,337$115,476
Total Employed163,740
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centennial ($84,088) and Denver ($83,326) paralegal salaries.CentennialDenverMedian Salary$84,088$83,326Entry Level (P10)$56,859$62,717Top Earner (P90)$130,337$115,476US Median $65,097

Verdict

Centennial, CO offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Denver.

The salary gap between Centennial and Denver is $762 (0.91%). Centennial's median is +29.17% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centennial spans $73,478,Denver spans $52,759. Centennial has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Centennial
P10 (Entry)$56,859
P25$64,667
Median$84,088
P75$105,713
P90 (Top)$130,337
Denver
P10 (Entry)$62,717
P25$70,511
Median$83,326
P75$101,233
P90 (Top)$115,476

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Centennial ($80,084 effective) pays 1.67% more than Denver ($78,771 effective).

Centennial
Nominal: $84,088
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $80,084
Denver
Nominal: $83,326
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $78,771

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centennial if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,088/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,337)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,084)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Larger job market (3,740 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Centennial grew 11.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.0% growth in Denver over the same period.

Centennial, CO

+11.6%

$72,775 (2024) → $81,237 (2025)

Denver, CO

+24.0%

$64,900 (2019) → $80,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Centennial or Denver?

Centennial has a higher median paralegal salary at $84,088/year, compared to Denver at $83,326/year — a difference of $762 (0.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centennial and Denver?

Centennial paralegals earn $40.43/hr while Denver hygienists earn $40.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Centennial to Denver as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centennial and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centennial = $80,084, Denver = $78,771), job availability (16 vs 3,740 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Centennial vs Denver?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $56,859 in Centennial and $62,717 in Denver. The Denver 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