Paralegal Salary

Franklin vs Trenton: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Franklin, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Franklin, NJ
$76,027
$36.55/hr
Trenton, NJ
$75,821
$36.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$76,027$75,821
Hourly Rate$36.55$36.46
Entry Level (P10)$54,246$49,737
25th Percentile$60,406$61,909
75th Percentile$96,111$89,143
Top Earner (P90)$117,842$108,323
Total Employed15790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($76,027) and Trenton ($75,821) paralegal salaries.FranklinTrentonMedian Salary$76,027$75,821Entry Level (P10)$54,246$49,737Top Earner (P90)$117,842$108,323US Median $65,097

Verdict

Franklin, NJ offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Franklin and Trenton is $206 (0.27%). Franklin's median is +16.79% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $63,596,Trenton spans $58,586. Franklin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$54,246
P25$60,406
Median$76,027
P75$96,111
P90 (Top)$117,842
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$49,737
P25$61,909
Median$75,821
P75$89,143
P90 (Top)$108,323

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($73,484 effective) pays 11.35% more than Franklin ($65,996 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $76,027
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $65,996
Trenton
Nominal: $75,821
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $73,484

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,027/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,842)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,484)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Franklin grew -7.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.2% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Franklin, NJ

+-7.5%

$79,417 (2024) → $73,449 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+10.2%

$66,450 (2019) → $73,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Franklin or Trenton?

Franklin has a higher median paralegal salary at $76,027/year, compared to Trenton at $75,821/year — a difference of $206 (0.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Trenton?

Franklin paralegals earn $36.55/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $36.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Trenton as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $65,996, Trenton = $73,484), job availability (15 vs 790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Franklin vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $54,246 in Franklin and $49,737 in Trenton. The Franklin 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