Paralegal Salary

Radford vs Virginia Beach: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Radford, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Radford, VA
$61,422
$29.53/hr
Virginia Beach, VA
$61,889
$29.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRadford, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Median Salary$61,422$61,889
Hourly Rate$29.53$29.76
Entry Level (P10)$45,669$49,126
25th Percentile$52,252$51,413
75th Percentile$74,722$66,329
Top Earner (P90)$90,970$80,448
Total Employed61,670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Radford ($61,422) and Virginia Beach ($61,889) paralegal salaries.RadfordVirginia BeachMedian Salary$61,422$61,889Entry Level (P10)$45,669$49,126Top Earner (P90)$90,970$80,448US Median $65,097

Verdict

Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Radford.

The salary gap between Radford and Virginia Beach is $467 (0.76%). Virginia Beach's median is -4.93% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Radford spans $45,301,Virginia Beach spans $31,322. Radford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Radford
P10 (Entry)$45,669
P25$52,252
Median$61,422
P75$74,722
P90 (Top)$90,970
Virginia Beach
P10 (Entry)$49,126
P25$51,413
Median$61,889
P75$66,329
P90 (Top)$80,448

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($63,190 effective) pays 6.17% more than Radford ($59,517 effective).

Radford
Nominal: $61,422
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $59,517
Virginia Beach
Nominal: $61,889
CoL Index: 97.941
Adjusted: $63,190

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Radford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($90,970)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,889/year)
  • Larger job market (1,670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,190)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Radford grew -8.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.6% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.

Radford, VA

+-8.9%

$65,144 (2024) → $59,339 (2025)

Virginia Beach, VA

+37.6%

$43,440 (2019) → $59,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Radford or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a higher median paralegal salary at $61,889/year, compared to Radford at $61,422/year — a difference of $467 (0.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Radford and Virginia Beach?

Radford paralegals earn $29.53/hr while Virginia Beach hygienists earn $29.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Radford to Virginia Beach as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Radford and Virginia Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Radford = $59,517, Virginia Beach = $63,190), job availability (6 vs 1,670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Radford vs Virginia Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $45,669 in Radford and $49,126 in Virginia Beach. The Virginia Beach 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