Paralegal Salary

La Habra vs Los Angeles: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between La Habra, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Habra, CA
$69,568
$33.44/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$80,241
$38.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Habra, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$69,568$80,241
Hourly Rate$33.44$38.58
Entry Level (P10)$49,718$52,997
25th Percentile$55,388$61,785
75th Percentile$89,048$101,895
Top Earner (P90)$107,831$116,097
Total Employed1622,240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Habra ($69,568) and Los Angeles ($80,241) paralegal salaries.La HabraLos AngelesMedian Salary$69,568$80,241Entry Level (P10)$49,718$52,997Top Earner (P90)$107,831$116,097US Median $65,097

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to La Habra.

The salary gap between La Habra and Los Angeles is $10,673 (15.34%). Los Angeles's median is +23.26% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Habra spans $58,113,Los Angeles spans $63,100. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced paralegals.

La Habra
P10 (Entry)$49,718
P25$55,388
Median$69,568
P75$89,048
P90 (Top)$107,831
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$52,997
P25$61,785
Median$80,241
P75$101,895
P90 (Top)$116,097

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($70,656 effective) pays 14.87% more than La Habra ($61,510 effective).

La Habra
Nominal: $69,568
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $61,510
Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,241
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,656

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Habra if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,241/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,097)
  • Larger job market (22,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,656)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in La Habra grew -21.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 46.6% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

La Habra, CA

+-21.1%

$85,187 (2024) → $67,209 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+46.6%

$52,880 (2019) → $77,520 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: La Habra or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median paralegal salary at $80,241/year, compared to La Habra at $69,568/year — a difference of $10,673 (15.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Habra and Los Angeles?

La Habra paralegals earn $33.44/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $38.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Habra to Los Angeles as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Habra and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Habra = $61,510, Los Angeles = $70,656), job availability (16 vs 22,240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in La Habra vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $49,718 in La Habra and $52,997 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles 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