Paralegal Salary

Davenport vs Marion: Paralegal Salary (2026)

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

Davenport, IA
$59,032
$28.38/hr
Marion, IA
$57,573
$27.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMarion, IA
Median Salary$59,032$57,573
Hourly Rate$28.38$27.68
Entry Level (P10)$39,624$41,309
25th Percentile$49,747$45,722
75th Percentile$68,296$72,156
Top Earner (P90)$84,019$89,239
Total Employed2806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($59,032) and Marion ($57,573) paralegal salaries.DavenportMarionMedian Salary$59,032$57,573Entry Level (P10)$39,624$41,309Top Earner (P90)$84,019$89,239US Median $65,097

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Davenport and Marion is $1,459 (2.53%). Davenport's median is -9.32% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $44,395,Marion spans $47,930. Marion has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$39,624
P25$49,747
Median$59,032
P75$68,296
P90 (Top)$84,019
Marion
P10 (Entry)$41,309
P25$45,722
Median$57,573
P75$72,156
P90 (Top)$89,239

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($66,269 effective) pays 4.05% more than Marion ($63,687 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $59,032
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $66,269
Marion
Nominal: $57,573
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $63,687

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,032/year)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,269)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Marion if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,239)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Davenport grew 16.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.8% growth in Marion over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+16.7%

$48,880 (2019) → $57,030 (2025)

Marion, IA

+13.8%

$48,890 (2024) → $55,621 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Davenport or Marion?

Davenport has a higher median paralegal salary at $59,032/year, compared to Marion at $57,573/year — a difference of $1,459 (2.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Marion?

Davenport paralegals earn $28.38/hr while Marion hygienists earn $27.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Marion as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Marion. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $66,269, Marion = $63,687), job availability (280 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Davenport vs Marion?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $39,624 in Davenport and $41,309 in Marion. The Marion 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