Paralegal Salary

Denver vs Aurora: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Denver, CO and Aurora, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$83,326
$40.06/hr
Aurora, CO
$81,495
$39.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COAurora, CO
Median Salary$83,326$81,495
Hourly Rate$40.06$39.18
Entry Level (P10)$62,717$55,876
25th Percentile$70,511$63,573
75th Percentile$101,233$104,314
Top Earner (P90)$115,476$126,318
Total Employed3,74054
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($83,326) and Aurora ($81,495) paralegal salaries.DenverAuroraMedian Salary$83,326$81,495Entry Level (P10)$62,717$55,876Top Earner (P90)$115,476$126,318US Median $65,097

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Aurora.

The salary gap between Denver and Aurora is $1,831 (2.25%). Denver's median is +28.00% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $52,759,Aurora spans $70,442. Aurora has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$62,717
P25$70,511
Median$83,326
P75$101,233
P90 (Top)$115,476
Aurora
P10 (Entry)$55,876
P25$63,573
Median$81,495
P75$104,314
P90 (Top)$126,318

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($78,771 effective) pays 1.49% more than Aurora ($77,614 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $83,326
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $78,771
Aurora
Nominal: $81,495
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $77,614

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,326/year)
  • Larger job market (3,740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,771)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Aurora if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($126,318)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Denver grew 24.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.4% growth in Aurora over the same period.

Denver, CO

+24.0%

$64,900 (2019) → $80,500 (2025)

Aurora, CO

+7.4%

$73,324 (2024) → $78,732 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Denver or Aurora?

Denver has a higher median paralegal salary at $83,326/year, compared to Aurora at $81,495/year — a difference of $1,831 (2.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Aurora?

Denver paralegals earn $40.06/hr while Aurora hygienists earn $39.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Aurora as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Aurora. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $78,771, Aurora = $77,614), job availability (3,740 vs 54 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Denver vs Aurora?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $62,717 in Denver and $55,876 in Aurora. The Denver 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