Paralegal Salary

Burke vs Virginia Beach: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Burke, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burke, VA
$59,940
$28.82/hr
Virginia Beach, VA
$61,889
$29.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurke, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Median Salary$59,940$61,889
Hourly Rate$28.82$29.76
Entry Level (P10)$43,497$49,126
25th Percentile$47,917$51,413
75th Percentile$75,405$66,329
Top Earner (P90)$92,906$80,448
Total Employed101,670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burke ($59,940) and Virginia Beach ($61,889) paralegal salaries.BurkeVirginia BeachMedian Salary$59,940$61,889Entry Level (P10)$43,497$49,126Top Earner (P90)$92,906$80,448US Median $65,097

Verdict

Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Burke.

The salary gap between Burke and Virginia Beach is $1,949 (3.25%). Virginia Beach's median is -4.93% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burke spans $49,409,Virginia Beach spans $31,322. Burke has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burke
P10 (Entry)$43,497
P25$47,917
Median$59,940
P75$75,405
P90 (Top)$92,906
Virginia Beach
P10 (Entry)$49,126
P25$51,413
Median$61,889
P75$66,329
P90 (Top)$80,448

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($63,190 effective) pays 8.80% more than Burke ($58,081 effective).

Burke
Nominal: $59,940
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $58,081
Virginia Beach
Nominal: $61,889
CoL Index: 97.941
Adjusted: $63,190

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burke if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,906)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,889/year)
  • Larger job market (1,670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,190)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Burke grew -13.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.6% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.

Burke, VA

+-13.9%

$67,261 (2024) → $57,907 (2025)

Virginia Beach, VA

+37.6%

$43,440 (2019) → $59,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Burke or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a higher median paralegal salary at $61,889/year, compared to Burke at $59,940/year — a difference of $1,949 (3.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burke and Virginia Beach?

Burke paralegals earn $28.82/hr while Virginia Beach hygienists earn $29.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burke to Virginia Beach as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burke and Virginia Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burke = $58,081, Virginia Beach = $63,190), job availability (10 vs 1,670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Burke vs Virginia Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $43,497 in Burke and $49,126 in Virginia Beach. The Virginia Beach 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