Paralegal Hourly Pay in Brownsville, TX: $22.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Brownsville, TX runs $22.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,076 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Brownsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.0, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,252 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Brownsville, TX, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $22.64 in 2026, notably lower than the national median of $31.30. This salary can cater to part-time paralegals working around 24 hours a week, providing a viable income while allowing for flexibility in work-life balance. The hourly rate spectrum ranges from $14.39 for entry-level positions to a maximum of $39.24 for seasoned professionals, reflecting the diversity of roles available in various environments. Paralegals typically find themselves in law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, or even remote settings conducting e-discovery reviews, with the BLS data confirming these figures as a reliable benchmark for aspiring legal professionals in the area.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.39 | $115.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.39 | $155.10 |
| Median (P50) | $22.64 | $181.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.14 | $233.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.24 | $313.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brownsville
Based on $22.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.64/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brownsville, TX can expect to earn approximately $47,086 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,165. With a cost-of-living index of 85.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brownsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brownsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $905.51 | $3,924 | $47,086 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $543.30 | $2,354 | $28,252 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $362.20 | $1,570 | $18,835 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Brownsville) | $22.64 |
| 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 Brownsville, TX earn a median of $47,076 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.68% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 16.60% below the Texas state average of $56,446.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.64/hr = $28,252/year (purchasing power: $32,860).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,086/year (purchasing power: $54,767).
CoL index: 85.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Brownsville grew 17.0% from $18.70/hr (2019) to $21.87/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.43/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 Brownsville 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 Brownsville
Examining the paralegal pay structure further reveals intriguing dynamics, especially for those working part-time or in per-diem positions. A paralegal on a part-time schedule in Brownsville could expect to earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, impacting annual income substantially when working only three days a week. Many choose per diem roles that might bill between $25 and $50 per hour, especially for tasks like e-discovery, where specialists may command higher rates of $30 to $60 hourly. The hourly rates vary considerably based on the type of employer; large law firms often pay more but come with demanding hours, while in-house corporate positions may offer steadier hours with lower compensation. Factors such as benefits versus pay must also be considered, with some paralegals prioritizing health insurance over higher hourly wages. For those negotiating hourly rates in Brownsville, emphasizing relevant experience and specialized skills—such as in e-discovery—can lead to better pay outcomes in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Brownsville, 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 Brownsville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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