Paralegal Salary

Boston vs Franklin: Paralegal Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$82,653
$39.74/hr
Franklin, MA
$64,212
$30.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAFranklin, MA
Median Salary$82,653$64,212
Hourly Rate$39.74$30.87
Entry Level (P10)$52,107$48,174
25th Percentile$66,091$51,070
75th Percentile$101,926$80,622
Top Earner (P90)$130,909$99,529
Total Employed6,3008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($82,653) and Franklin ($64,212) paralegal salaries.BostonFranklinMedian Salary$82,653$64,212Entry Level (P10)$52,107$48,174Top Earner (P90)$130,909$99,529US Median $65,097

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Franklin is $18,441 (28.72%). 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,Franklin spans $51,355. 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
Franklin
P10 (Entry)$48,174
P25$51,070
Median$64,212
P75$80,622
P90 (Top)$99,529

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($76,343 effective) pays 29.00% more than Franklin ($59,182 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $82,653
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $76,343
Franklin
Nominal: $64,212
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $59,182

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 Franklin 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 -16.7% growth in Franklin over the same period.

Boston, MA

+34.8%

$59,220 (2019) → $79,850 (2025)

Franklin, MA

+-16.7%

$74,482 (2024) → $62,035 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Boston or Franklin?

Boston has a higher median paralegal salary at $82,653/year, compared to Franklin at $64,212/year — a difference of $18,441 (28.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Franklin?

Boston paralegals earn $39.74/hr while Franklin hygienists earn $30.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Franklin as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Franklin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $76,343, Franklin = $59,182), job availability (6,300 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Boston vs Franklin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $52,107 in Boston and $48,174 in Franklin. 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