Paralegal Salary

Edmonds vs Olympia: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Edmonds, WA and Olympia, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Edmonds, WA
$63,784
$30.67/hr
Olympia, WA
$73,637
$35.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEdmonds, WAOlympia, WA
Median Salary$63,784$73,637
Hourly Rate$30.67$35.40
Entry Level (P10)$44,359$52,894
25th Percentile$53,453$61,319
75th Percentile$81,254$81,214
Top Earner (P90)$98,866$83,533
Total Employed8570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Edmonds ($63,784) and Olympia ($73,637) paralegal salaries.EdmondsOlympiaMedian Salary$63,784$73,637Entry Level (P10)$44,359$52,894Top Earner (P90)$98,866$83,533US Median $65,097

Verdict

Olympia, WA offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Edmonds.

The salary gap between Edmonds and Olympia is $9,853 (15.45%). Olympia's median is +13.12% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Edmonds spans $54,507,Olympia spans $30,639. Edmonds has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Edmonds
P10 (Entry)$44,359
P25$53,453
Median$63,784
P75$81,254
P90 (Top)$98,866
Olympia
P10 (Entry)$52,894
P25$61,319
Median$73,637
P75$81,214
P90 (Top)$83,533

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Olympia ($71,030 effective) pays 19.60% more than Edmonds ($59,389 effective).

Edmonds
Nominal: $63,784
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $59,389
Olympia
Nominal: $73,637
CoL Index: 103.67
Adjusted: $71,030

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Edmonds if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($98,866)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Olympia if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,637/year)
  • Larger job market (570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,030)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Edmonds grew -15.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.0% growth in Olympia over the same period.

Edmonds, WA

+-15.5%

$72,904 (2024) → $61,621 (2025)

Olympia, WA

+35.0%

$52,700 (2019) → $71,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Edmonds or Olympia?

Olympia has a higher median paralegal salary at $73,637/year, compared to Edmonds at $63,784/year — a difference of $9,853 (15.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Edmonds and Olympia?

Edmonds paralegals earn $30.67/hr while Olympia hygienists earn $35.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Edmonds to Olympia as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Edmonds and Olympia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Edmonds = $59,389, Olympia = $71,030), job availability (8 vs 570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Edmonds vs Olympia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $44,359 in Edmonds and $52,894 in Olympia. The Olympia 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