Paralegal Salary

Plymouth vs Worcester: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Plymouth, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Plymouth, MA
$67,808
$32.60/hr
Worcester, MA
$73,482
$35.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPlymouth, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$67,808$73,482
Hourly Rate$32.60$35.33
Entry Level (P10)$47,619$36,373
25th Percentile$53,304$61,050
75th Percentile$86,528$84,143
Top Earner (P90)$105,103$100,726
Total Employed9480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Plymouth ($67,808) and Worcester ($73,482) paralegal salaries.PlymouthWorcesterMedian Salary$67,808$73,482Entry Level (P10)$47,619$36,373Top Earner (P90)$105,103$100,726US Median $65,097

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Plymouth.

The salary gap between Plymouth and Worcester is $5,674 (8.37%). Worcester's median is +12.88% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Plymouth spans $57,484,Worcester spans $64,353. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Plymouth
P10 (Entry)$47,619
P25$53,304
Median$67,808
P75$86,528
P90 (Top)$105,103
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$36,373
P25$61,050
Median$73,482
P75$84,143
P90 (Top)$100,726

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($71,674 effective) pays 14.69% more than Plymouth ($62,496 effective).

Plymouth
Nominal: $67,808
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $62,496
Worcester
Nominal: $73,482
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $71,674

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Plymouth if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,103)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,482/year)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,674)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Plymouth grew -16.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.4% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Plymouth, MA

+-16.7%

$78,654 (2024) → $65,509 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+25.4%

$56,630 (2019) → $70,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Plymouth or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median paralegal salary at $73,482/year, compared to Plymouth at $67,808/year — a difference of $5,674 (8.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Plymouth and Worcester?

Plymouth paralegals earn $32.60/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $35.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Plymouth to Worcester as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Plymouth and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Plymouth = $62,496, Worcester = $71,674), job availability (9 vs 480 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Plymouth vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $47,619 in Plymouth and $36,373 in Worcester. The Plymouth 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