Paralegal Salary

New York vs Rome: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between New York, NY and Rome, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$77,974
$37.49/hr
Rome, NY
$56,197
$27.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYRome, NY
Median Salary$77,974$56,197
Hourly Rate$37.49$27.02
Entry Level (P10)$50,906$42,798
25th Percentile$63,183$46,415
75th Percentile$101,150$68,821
Top Earner (P90)$125,423$87,105
Total Employed33,8506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($77,974) and Rome ($56,197) paralegal salaries.New YorkRomeMedian Salary$77,974$56,197Entry Level (P10)$50,906$42,798Top Earner (P90)$125,423$87,105US Median $65,097

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rome.

The salary gap between New York and Rome is $21,777 (38.75%). New York's median is +19.78% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $74,517,Rome spans $44,307. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$50,906
P25$63,183
Median$77,974
P75$101,150
P90 (Top)$125,423
Rome
P10 (Entry)$42,798
P25$46,415
Median$56,197
P75$68,821
P90 (Top)$87,105

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($69,271 effective) pays 42.86% more than Rome ($48,487 effective).

New York
Nominal: $77,974
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $69,271
Rome
Nominal: $56,197
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $48,487

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,974/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,423)
  • Larger job market (33,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,271)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rome if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in New York grew 33.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -34.9% growth in Rome over the same period.

New York, NY

+33.5%

$56,420 (2019) → $75,330 (2025)

Rome, NY

+-34.9%

$83,457 (2024) → $54,291 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: New York or Rome?

New York has a higher median paralegal salary at $77,974/year, compared to Rome at $56,197/year — a difference of $21,777 (38.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Rome?

New York paralegals earn $37.49/hr while Rome hygienists earn $27.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Rome as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Rome. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $69,271, Rome = $48,487), job availability (33,850 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in New York vs Rome?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $50,906 in New York and $42,798 in Rome. The New York 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