Paralegal Salary

Cleveland vs Medina: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Cleveland, OH and Medina, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$63,100
$30.34/hr
Medina, OH
$58,055
$27.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHMedina, OH
Median Salary$63,100$58,055
Hourly Rate$30.34$27.91
Entry Level (P10)$44,934$44,558
25th Percentile$51,382$46,914
75th Percentile$81,048$73,522
Top Earner (P90)$97,858$89,984
Total Employed2,9606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($63,100) and Medina ($58,055) paralegal salaries.ClevelandMedinaMedian Salary$63,100$58,055Entry Level (P10)$44,934$44,558Top Earner (P90)$97,858$89,984US Median $65,097

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Medina.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Medina is $5,045 (8.69%). Cleveland's median is -3.07% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $52,924,Medina spans $45,426. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$44,934
P25$51,382
Median$63,100
P75$81,048
P90 (Top)$97,858
Medina
P10 (Entry)$44,558
P25$46,914
Median$58,055
P75$73,522
P90 (Top)$89,984

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($67,183 effective) pays 4.96% more than Medina ($64,008 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $63,100
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $67,183
Medina
Nominal: $58,055
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $64,008

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,100/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,858)
  • Larger job market (2,960 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,183)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Medina if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Cleveland grew 33.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.6% growth in Medina over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+33.0%

$45,840 (2019) → $60,960 (2025)

Medina, OH

+10.6%

$50,691 (2024) → $56,086 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Cleveland or Medina?

Cleveland has a higher median paralegal salary at $63,100/year, compared to Medina at $58,055/year — a difference of $5,045 (8.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Medina?

Cleveland paralegals earn $30.34/hr while Medina hygienists earn $27.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Medina as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Medina. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $67,183, Medina = $64,008), job availability (2,960 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Cleveland vs Medina?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $44,934 in Cleveland and $44,558 in Medina. The Cleveland 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