Paralegal Salary

Freeport vs Rochester: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Freeport, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Freeport, NY
$59,269
$28.50/hr
Rochester, NY
$59,259
$28.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFreeport, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$59,269$59,259
Hourly Rate$28.50$28.49
Entry Level (P10)$43,886$44,613
25th Percentile$48,028$46,704
75th Percentile$73,911$67,633
Top Earner (P90)$91,678$84,702
Total Employed101,300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Freeport ($59,269) and Rochester ($59,259) paralegal salaries.FreeportRochesterMedian Salary$59,269$59,259Entry Level (P10)$43,886$44,613Top Earner (P90)$91,678$84,702US Median $65,097

Verdict

Freeport, NY offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between Freeport and Rochester is $10 (0.02%). Freeport's median is -8.95% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Freeport spans $47,792,Rochester spans $40,089. Freeport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Freeport
P10 (Entry)$43,886
P25$48,028
Median$59,269
P75$73,911
P90 (Top)$91,678
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$44,613
P25$46,704
Median$59,259
P75$67,633
P90 (Top)$84,702

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($61,070 effective) pays 19.42% more than Freeport ($51,138 effective).

Freeport
Nominal: $59,269
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $51,138
Rochester
Nominal: $59,259
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $61,070

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Freeport if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,269/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,678)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (1,300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,070)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Freeport grew -30.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.3% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Freeport, NY

+-30.5%

$82,378 (2024) → $57,259 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+36.3%

$41,990 (2019) → $57,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Freeport or Rochester?

Freeport has a higher median paralegal salary at $59,269/year, compared to Rochester at $59,259/year — a difference of $10 (0.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Freeport and Rochester?

Freeport paralegals earn $28.50/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $28.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Freeport to Rochester as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Freeport and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Freeport = $51,138, Rochester = $61,070), job availability (10 vs 1,300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Freeport vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $43,886 in Freeport and $44,613 in Rochester. The Rochester 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