Paralegal Salary

Fayetteville vs Paragould: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Fayetteville, AR and Paragould, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fayetteville, AR
$51,061
$24.55/hr
Paragould, AR
$55,261
$26.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARParagould, AR
Median Salary$51,061$55,261
Hourly Rate$24.55$26.57
Entry Level (P10)$38,713$39,103
25th Percentile$45,203$45,578
75th Percentile$65,511$70,734
Top Earner (P90)$83,978$85,655
Total Employed3807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($51,061) and Paragould ($55,261) paralegal salaries.FayettevilleParagouldMedian Salary$51,061$55,261Entry Level (P10)$38,713$39,103Top Earner (P90)$83,978$85,655US Median $65,097

Verdict

Paragould, AR offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fayetteville.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Paragould is $4,200 (8.23%). Paragould's median is -15.11% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $45,265,Paragould spans $46,552. Paragould has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$38,713
P25$45,203
Median$51,061
P75$65,511
P90 (Top)$83,978
Paragould
P10 (Entry)$39,103
P25$45,578
Median$55,261
P75$70,734
P90 (Top)$85,655

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Paragould ($63,591 effective) pays 13.77% more than Fayetteville ($55,894 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $51,061
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $55,894
Paragould
Nominal: $55,261
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $63,591

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Paragould if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,261/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,655)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,591)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Fayetteville grew 31.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 36.7% growth in Paragould over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+31.5%

$37,520 (2019) → $49,330 (2025)

Paragould, AR

+36.7%

$39,049 (2024) → $53,387 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Fayetteville or Paragould?

Paragould has a higher median paralegal salary at $55,261/year, compared to Fayetteville at $51,061/year — a difference of $4,200 (8.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Paragould?

Fayetteville paralegals earn $24.55/hr while Paragould hygienists earn $26.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fayetteville to Paragould as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Paragould. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $55,894, Paragould = $63,591), job availability (380 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Fayetteville vs Paragould?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $38,713 in Fayetteville and $39,103 in Paragould. The Paragould 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