Paralegal Salary

Boston vs Barnstable Town: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Boston, MA and Barnstable Town, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$82,653
$39.74/hr
Barnstable Town, MA
$66,567
$32.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MABarnstable Town, MA
Median Salary$82,653$66,567
Hourly Rate$39.74$32.01
Entry Level (P10)$52,107$37,698
25th Percentile$66,091$55,409
75th Percentile$101,926$98,562
Top Earner (P90)$130,909$100,394
Total Employed6,300190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($82,653) and Barnstable Town ($66,567) paralegal salaries.BostonBarnstable TownMedian Salary$82,653$66,567Entry Level (P10)$52,107$37,698Top Earner (P90)$130,909$100,394US Median $65,097

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Barnstable Town.

The salary gap between Boston and Barnstable Town is $16,086 (24.17%). Boston's median is +26.97% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $78,802,Barnstable Town spans $62,696. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$52,107
P25$66,091
Median$82,653
P75$101,926
P90 (Top)$130,909
Barnstable Town
P10 (Entry)$37,698
P25$55,409
Median$66,567
P75$98,562
P90 (Top)$100,394

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($76,343 effective) pays 12.79% more than Barnstable Town ($67,683 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $82,653
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $76,343
Barnstable Town
Nominal: $66,567
CoL Index: 98.351
Adjusted: $67,683

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,653/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,909)
  • Larger job market (6,300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,343)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Barnstable Town if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Boston grew 34.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.0% growth in Barnstable Town over the same period.

Boston, MA

+34.8%

$59,220 (2019) → $79,850 (2025)

Barnstable Town, MA

+23.0%

$52,300 (2019) → $64,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Boston or Barnstable Town?

Boston has a higher median paralegal salary at $82,653/year, compared to Barnstable Town at $66,567/year — a difference of $16,086 (24.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Barnstable Town?

Boston paralegals earn $39.74/hr while Barnstable Town hygienists earn $32.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Barnstable Town as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Barnstable Town. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $76,343, Barnstable Town = $67,683), job availability (6,300 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Boston vs Barnstable Town?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $52,107 in Boston and $37,698 in Barnstable Town. The Boston 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