Paralegal Salary

Biddeford vs Lewiston: Paralegal Salary (2026)

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

Biddeford, ME
$61,344
$29.49/hr
Lewiston, ME
$60,481
$29.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBiddeford, MELewiston, ME
Median Salary$61,344$60,481
Hourly Rate$29.49$29.08
Entry Level (P10)$44,734$49,395
25th Percentile$48,942$52,397
75th Percentile$75,147$63,141
Top Earner (P90)$91,694$75,666
Total Employed690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Biddeford ($61,344) and Lewiston ($60,481) paralegal salaries.BiddefordLewistonMedian Salary$61,344$60,481Entry Level (P10)$44,734$49,395Top Earner (P90)$91,694$75,666US Median $65,097

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Biddeford and Lewiston is $863 (1.43%). Biddeford's median is -5.77% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Biddeford spans $46,960,Lewiston spans $26,271. Biddeford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Biddeford
P10 (Entry)$44,734
P25$48,942
Median$61,344
P75$75,147
P90 (Top)$91,694
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$49,395
P25$52,397
Median$60,481
P75$63,141
P90 (Top)$75,666

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lewiston ($63,842 effective) pays 3.66% more than Biddeford ($61,590 effective).

Biddeford
Nominal: $61,344
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $61,590
Lewiston
Nominal: $60,481
CoL Index: 94.736
Adjusted: $63,842

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Biddeford if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,344/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,694)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,842)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Biddeford grew 16.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.0% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Biddeford, ME

+16.5%

$50,887 (2024) → $59,264 (2025)

Lewiston, ME

+29.0%

$45,280 (2019) → $58,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Biddeford or Lewiston?

Biddeford has a higher median paralegal salary at $61,344/year, compared to Lewiston at $60,481/year — a difference of $863 (1.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Biddeford and Lewiston?

Biddeford paralegals earn $29.49/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $29.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Biddeford to Lewiston as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Biddeford and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Biddeford = $61,590, Lewiston = $63,842), job availability (6 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Biddeford vs Lewiston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $44,734 in Biddeford and $49,395 in Lewiston. The Lewiston 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