Paralegal Salary

Bangor vs Scarborough: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Bangor, ME and Scarborough, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bangor, ME
$60,326
$29.00/hr
Scarborough, ME
$61,861
$29.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBangor, MEScarborough, ME
Median Salary$60,326$61,861
Hourly Rate$29.00$29.74
Entry Level (P10)$49,260$46,004
25th Percentile$51,144$52,435
75th Percentile$66,826$75,077
Top Earner (P90)$80,086$91,332
Total Employed1205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bangor ($60,326) and Scarborough ($61,861) paralegal salaries.BangorScarboroughMedian Salary$60,326$61,861Entry Level (P10)$49,260$46,004Top Earner (P90)$80,086$91,332US Median $65,097

Verdict

Scarborough, ME offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bangor.

The salary gap between Bangor and Scarborough is $1,535 (2.54%). Scarborough's median is -4.97% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bangor spans $30,826,Scarborough spans $45,328. Scarborough has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Bangor
P10 (Entry)$49,260
P25$51,144
Median$60,326
P75$66,826
P90 (Top)$80,086
Scarborough
P10 (Entry)$46,004
P25$52,435
Median$61,861
P75$75,077
P90 (Top)$91,332

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bangor ($62,509 effective) pays 0.64% more than Scarborough ($62,109 effective).

Bangor
Nominal: $60,326
CoL Index: 96.508
Adjusted: $62,509
Scarborough
Nominal: $61,861
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $62,109

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bangor if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,509)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Scarborough if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,861/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,332)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Bangor grew 10.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.5% growth in Scarborough over the same period.

Bangor, ME

+10.0%

$52,970 (2019) → $58,280 (2025)

Scarborough, ME

+16.5%

$51,315 (2024) → $59,763 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Bangor or Scarborough?

Scarborough has a higher median paralegal salary at $61,861/year, compared to Bangor at $60,326/year — a difference of $1,535 (2.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bangor and Scarborough?

Bangor paralegals earn $29.00/hr while Scarborough hygienists earn $29.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bangor to Scarborough as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bangor and Scarborough. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bangor = $62,509, Scarborough = $62,109), job availability (120 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Bangor vs Scarborough?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $49,260 in Bangor and $46,004 in Scarborough. The Bangor 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