Paralegal Hourly Pay in Baytown, TX: $27.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Baytown, TX runs $27.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,195 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Baytown's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,716 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Baytown, Texas, the median hourly pay for paralegals stands at $27.02. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.30, indicating a regional variance that reflects local economic conditions. For those considering part-time roles—such as working just three days a week—this pay would translate to a significant but modest income, which can be appealing for individuals seeking flexibility alongside their career. The broad hourly pay range in Baytown varies from $18.46 for entry-level positions to $41.88 for highly experienced paralegals. Ultimately, these hourly rates, derived from annual salary data, shape the landscape of employment opportunities across diverse working environments, from law firms and corporate legal departments to government offices and remote e-discovery roles.
About the Baytown Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.46 | $147.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.85 | $166.78 |
| Median (P50) | $27.02 | $216.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.09 | $272.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.88 | $335.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baytown
Based on $27.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.02/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baytown, TX can expect to earn approximately $56,194 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,419. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baytown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baytown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,080.64 | $4,683 | $56,194 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $648.39 | $2,810 | $33,716 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $432.26 | $1,873 | $22,477 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Baytown) | $27.02 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Baytown, TX earn a median of $56,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.67% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.50% below the Texas state average of $56,477.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.02/hr = $33,716/year (purchasing power: $35,121).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,194/year (purchasing power: $58,535).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Baytown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Baytown grew 21.6% from $21.47/hr (2019) to $26.10/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.96/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baytown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Baytown
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For paralegals working part-time in Baytown, taking on 24 hours per week at $27.02 would yield an annual income of approximately $33,624 before taxes, compared to the earnings of full-time colleagues. In a per-diem capacity, paralegals have the potential to negotiate rates ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, depending on their specialization and the nature of the assignment. E-discovery specialists, especially those versed in software like Relativity, often command higher tiers, earning up to $60 per hour for contract services. Across employer types, hourly pay varies widely; law firms may pay less than corporate in-house legal departments but offer the potential for higher pay in intensive roles such as trial preparation. Paralegals may weigh the benefits of stability and health insurance against the allure of higher hourly rates without benefits. When negotiating pay, understanding the local market and having data to support your request could lead to better outcomes, particularly in a diverse employment setting like Baytown.
More salary data for Baytown, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Baytown. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Baytown is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov