Paralegal Salary

Elizabethtown vs Lexington: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Elizabethtown, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elizabethtown, KY
$62,665
$30.13/hr
Lexington, KY
$65,874
$31.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabethtown, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$62,665$65,874
Hourly Rate$30.13$31.66
Entry Level (P10)$36,870$44,778
25th Percentile$47,718$51,124
75th Percentile$75,448$77,415
Top Earner (P90)$84,185$82,549
Total Employed80640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabethtown ($62,665) and Lexington ($65,874) paralegal salaries.ElizabethtownLexingtonMedian Salary$62,665$65,874Entry Level (P10)$36,870$44,778Top Earner (P90)$84,185$82,549US Median $65,097

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Elizabethtown.

The salary gap between Elizabethtown and Lexington is $3,209 (5.12%). Lexington's median is +1.19% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabethtown spans $47,315,Lexington spans $37,771. Elizabethtown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Elizabethtown
P10 (Entry)$36,870
P25$47,718
Median$62,665
P75$75,448
P90 (Top)$84,185
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$44,778
P25$51,124
Median$65,874
P75$77,415
P90 (Top)$82,549

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($70,917 effective) pays 2.50% more than Elizabethtown ($69,188 effective).

Elizabethtown
Nominal: $62,665
CoL Index: 90.572
Adjusted: $69,188
Lexington
Nominal: $65,874
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $70,917

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabethtown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,185)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,874/year)
  • Larger job market (640 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,917)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Elizabethtown grew 40.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.8% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Elizabethtown, KY

+40.0%

$43,250 (2019) → $60,540 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+30.8%

$48,670 (2019) → $63,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Elizabethtown or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median paralegal salary at $65,874/year, compared to Elizabethtown at $62,665/year — a difference of $3,209 (5.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabethtown and Lexington?

Elizabethtown paralegals earn $30.13/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $31.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabethtown to Lexington as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabethtown and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabethtown = $69,188, Lexington = $70,917), job availability (80 vs 640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Elizabethtown vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $36,870 in Elizabethtown and $44,778 in Lexington. The Lexington 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