Paralegal Salary

Gulfport vs Southaven: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Gulfport, MS and Southaven, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gulfport, MS
$47,863
$23.01/hr
Southaven, MS
$54,880
$26.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGulfport, MSSouthaven, MS
Median Salary$47,863$54,880
Hourly Rate$23.01$26.38
Entry Level (P10)$38,102$40,878
25th Percentile$38,547$44,895
75th Percentile$56,661$68,493
Top Earner (P90)$67,457$85,063
Total Employed29014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gulfport ($47,863) and Southaven ($54,880) paralegal salaries.GulfportSouthavenMedian Salary$47,863$54,880Entry Level (P10)$38,102$40,878Top Earner (P90)$67,457$85,063US Median $65,097

Verdict

Southaven, MS offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gulfport.

The salary gap between Gulfport and Southaven is $7,017 (14.66%). Southaven's median is -15.70% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gulfport spans $29,355,Southaven spans $44,185. Southaven has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Gulfport
P10 (Entry)$38,102
P25$38,547
Median$47,863
P75$56,661
P90 (Top)$67,457
Southaven
P10 (Entry)$40,878
P25$44,895
Median$54,880
P75$68,493
P90 (Top)$85,063

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Southaven ($64,037 effective) pays 20.42% more than Gulfport ($53,178 effective).

Gulfport
Nominal: $47,863
CoL Index: 90.006
Adjusted: $53,178
Southaven
Nominal: $54,880
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $64,037

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gulfport if…

  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Southaven if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,880/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,063)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,037)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Gulfport grew -16.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 42.9% growth in Southaven over the same period.

Gulfport, MS

+-16.5%

$55,370 (2019) → $46,240 (2025)

Southaven, MS

+42.9%

$37,093 (2024) → $53,019 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Gulfport or Southaven?

Southaven has a higher median paralegal salary at $54,880/year, compared to Gulfport at $47,863/year — a difference of $7,017 (14.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gulfport and Southaven?

Gulfport paralegals earn $23.01/hr while Southaven hygienists earn $26.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gulfport to Southaven as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gulfport and Southaven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gulfport = $53,178, Southaven = $64,037), job availability (290 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Gulfport vs Southaven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $38,102 in Gulfport and $40,878 in Southaven. The Southaven 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