Paralegal Salary

Plymouth vs Rochester: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Plymouth, MN and Rochester, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Plymouth, MN
$61,350
$29.50/hr
Rochester, MN
$63,379
$30.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPlymouth, MNRochester, MN
Median Salary$61,350$63,379
Hourly Rate$29.50$30.47
Entry Level (P10)$41,379$47,118
25th Percentile$50,630$51,082
75th Percentile$77,009$79,858
Top Earner (P90)$95,094$100,032
Total Employed14200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Plymouth ($61,350) and Rochester ($63,379) paralegal salaries.PlymouthRochesterMedian Salary$61,350$63,379Entry Level (P10)$41,379$47,118Top Earner (P90)$95,094$100,032US Median $65,097

Verdict

Rochester, MN offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Plymouth.

The salary gap between Plymouth and Rochester is $2,029 (3.31%). Rochester's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Plymouth spans $53,715,Rochester spans $52,914. Plymouth has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Plymouth
P10 (Entry)$41,379
P25$50,630
Median$61,350
P75$77,009
P90 (Top)$95,094
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$47,118
P25$51,082
Median$63,379
P75$79,858
P90 (Top)$100,032

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($69,785 effective) pays 12.04% more than Plymouth ($62,284 effective).

Plymouth
Nominal: $61,350
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $62,284
Rochester
Nominal: $63,379
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $69,785

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Plymouth if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,379/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,032)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,785)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Plymouth grew -1.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.9% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Plymouth, MN

+-1.9%

$60,438 (2024) → $59,270 (2025)

Rochester, MN

+30.9%

$46,780 (2019) → $61,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Plymouth or Rochester?

Rochester has a higher median paralegal salary at $63,379/year, compared to Plymouth at $61,350/year — a difference of $2,029 (3.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Plymouth and Rochester?

Plymouth paralegals earn $29.50/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $30.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Plymouth to Rochester as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Plymouth and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Plymouth = $62,284, Rochester = $69,785), job availability (14 vs 200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Plymouth vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $41,379 in Plymouth and $47,118 in Rochester. The Rochester 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