Paralegal Salary

Boise City vs Caldwell: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Boise City, ID and Caldwell, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$55,347
$26.61/hr
Caldwell, ID
$50,550
$24.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDCaldwell, ID
Median Salary$55,347$50,550
Hourly Rate$26.61$24.30
Entry Level (P10)$38,226$34,108
25th Percentile$39,034$41,727
75th Percentile$72,550$63,462
Top Earner (P90)$78,574$78,353
Total Employed1,1408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($55,347) and Caldwell ($50,550) paralegal salaries.Boise CityCaldwellMedian Salary$55,347$50,550Entry Level (P10)$38,226$34,108Top Earner (P90)$78,574$78,353US Median $65,097

Verdict

Boise City, ID offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Caldwell.

The salary gap between Boise City and Caldwell is $4,797 (9.49%). Boise City's median is -14.98% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $40,348,Caldwell spans $44,245. Caldwell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$38,226
P25$39,034
Median$55,347
P75$72,550
P90 (Top)$78,574
Caldwell
P10 (Entry)$34,108
P25$41,727
Median$50,550
P75$63,462
P90 (Top)$78,353

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise City ($56,252 effective) pays 6.05% more than Caldwell ($53,043 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $55,347
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $56,252
Caldwell
Nominal: $50,550
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $53,043

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,347/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($78,574)
  • Larger job market (1,140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,252)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Caldwell if…

  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Boise City grew 3.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.7% growth in Caldwell over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+3.4%

$51,700 (2019) → $53,470 (2025)

Caldwell, ID

+1.7%

$48,025 (2024) → $48,836 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Boise City or Caldwell?

Boise City has a higher median paralegal salary at $55,347/year, compared to Caldwell at $50,550/year — a difference of $4,797 (9.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Caldwell?

Boise City paralegals earn $26.61/hr while Caldwell hygienists earn $24.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Caldwell as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Caldwell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $56,252, Caldwell = $53,043), job availability (1,140 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Boise City vs Caldwell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $38,226 in Boise City and $34,108 in Caldwell. The Boise City 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