Paralegal Salary

Little Rock vs Pine Bluff: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Little Rock, AR and Pine Bluff, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Little Rock, AR
$49,364
$23.73/hr
Pine Bluff, AR
$55,216
$26.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLittle Rock, ARPine Bluff, AR
Median Salary$49,364$55,216
Hourly Rate$23.73$26.55
Entry Level (P10)$39,065$38,940
25th Percentile$48,018$43,350
75th Percentile$65,460$70,677
Top Earner (P90)$84,185$85,585
Total Employed6808
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Little Rock ($49,364) and Pine Bluff ($55,216) paralegal salaries.Little RockPine BluffMedian Salary$49,364$55,216Entry Level (P10)$39,065$38,940Top Earner (P90)$84,185$85,585US Median $65,097

Verdict

Pine Bluff, AR offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Little Rock.

The salary gap between Little Rock and Pine Bluff is $5,852 (11.85%). Pine Bluff's median is -15.18% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Little Rock spans $45,120,Pine Bluff spans $46,645. Pine Bluff has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$39,065
P25$48,018
Median$49,364
P75$65,460
P90 (Top)$84,185
Pine Bluff
P10 (Entry)$38,940
P25$43,350
Median$55,216
P75$70,677
P90 (Top)$85,585

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pine Bluff ($63,540 effective) pays 15.03% more than Little Rock ($55,239 effective).

Little Rock
Nominal: $49,364
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $55,239
Pine Bluff
Nominal: $55,216
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $63,540

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Pine Bluff if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,216/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,585)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,540)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Little Rock grew 23.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 36.7% growth in Pine Bluff over the same period.

Little Rock, AR

+23.4%

$38,640 (2019) → $47,690 (2025)

Pine Bluff, AR

+36.7%

$39,018 (2024) → $53,344 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Little Rock or Pine Bluff?

Pine Bluff has a higher median paralegal salary at $55,216/year, compared to Little Rock at $49,364/year — a difference of $5,852 (11.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Little Rock and Pine Bluff?

Little Rock paralegals earn $23.73/hr while Pine Bluff hygienists earn $26.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Little Rock to Pine Bluff as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Little Rock and Pine Bluff. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Little Rock = $55,239, Pine Bluff = $63,540), job availability (680 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Little Rock vs Pine Bluff?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $39,065 in Little Rock and $38,940 in Pine Bluff. The Little Rock 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