Paralegal Salary

Sunrise vs Tampa: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Sunrise, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sunrise, FL
$57,368
$27.59/hr
Tampa, FL
$62,261
$29.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSunrise, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$57,368$62,261
Hourly Rate$27.59$29.94
Entry Level (P10)$41,388$44,778
25th Percentile$46,099$49,819
75th Percentile$72,953$78,906
Top Earner (P90)$88,921$83,719
Total Employed236,630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sunrise ($57,368) and Tampa ($62,261) paralegal salaries.SunriseTampaMedian Salary$57,368$62,261Entry Level (P10)$41,388$44,778Top Earner (P90)$88,921$83,719US Median $65,097

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sunrise.

The salary gap between Sunrise and Tampa is $4,893 (8.53%). Tampa's median is -4.36% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sunrise spans $47,533,Tampa spans $38,941. Sunrise has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sunrise
P10 (Entry)$41,388
P25$46,099
Median$57,368
P75$72,953
P90 (Top)$88,921
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$44,778
P25$49,819
Median$62,261
P75$78,906
P90 (Top)$83,719

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($61,712 effective) pays 8.43% more than Sunrise ($56,913 effective).

Sunrise
Nominal: $57,368
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $56,913
Tampa
Nominal: $62,261
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $61,712

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sunrise if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,921)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,261/year)
  • Larger job market (6,630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,712)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Sunrise grew 1.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.2% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Sunrise, FL

+1.0%

$54,853 (2024) → $55,423 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+35.2%

$44,500 (2019) → $60,150 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Sunrise or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median paralegal salary at $62,261/year, compared to Sunrise at $57,368/year — a difference of $4,893 (8.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sunrise and Tampa?

Sunrise paralegals earn $27.59/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $29.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sunrise to Tampa as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sunrise and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sunrise = $56,913, Tampa = $61,712), job availability (23 vs 6,630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Sunrise vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $41,388 in Sunrise and $44,778 in Tampa. The Tampa 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