Paralegal Salary

Bloomington vs Moline: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Bloomington, IL and Moline, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bloomington, IL
$62,272
$29.94/hr
Moline, IL
$60,078
$28.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBloomington, ILMoline, IL
Median Salary$62,272$60,078
Hourly Rate$29.94$28.88
Entry Level (P10)$48,225$43,313
25th Percentile$50,730$48,005
75th Percentile$76,245$75,556
Top Earner (P90)$91,617$91,848
Total Employed26010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bloomington ($62,272) and Moline ($60,078) paralegal salaries.BloomingtonMolineMedian Salary$62,272$60,078Entry Level (P10)$48,225$43,313Top Earner (P90)$91,617$91,848US Median $65,097

Verdict

Bloomington, IL offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Moline.

The salary gap between Bloomington and Moline is $2,194 (3.65%). Bloomington's median is -4.34% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $43,392,Moline spans $48,535. Moline has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Bloomington
P10 (Entry)$48,225
P25$50,730
Median$62,272
P75$76,245
P90 (Top)$91,617
Moline
P10 (Entry)$43,313
P25$48,005
Median$60,078
P75$75,556
P90 (Top)$91,848

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bloomington ($66,575 effective) pays 7.60% more than Moline ($61,872 effective).

Bloomington
Nominal: $62,272
CoL Index: 93.537
Adjusted: $66,575
Moline
Nominal: $60,078
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $61,872

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bloomington if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,272/year)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,575)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Moline if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,848)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Bloomington grew 24.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.4% growth in Moline over the same period.

Bloomington, IL

+24.5%

$48,310 (2019) → $60,160 (2025)

Moline, IL

+-5.4%

$61,348 (2024) → $58,041 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Bloomington or Moline?

Bloomington has a higher median paralegal salary at $62,272/year, compared to Moline at $60,078/year — a difference of $2,194 (3.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Moline?

Bloomington paralegals earn $29.94/hr while Moline hygienists earn $28.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bloomington to Moline as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bloomington and Moline. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bloomington = $66,575, Moline = $61,872), job availability (260 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Bloomington vs Moline?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $48,225 in Bloomington and $43,313 in Moline. The Bloomington 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