Paralegal Hourly Pay in Friendswood, TX: $26.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Friendswood, TX runs $26.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,595 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Friendswood's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,760 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Friendswood, TX, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $26.25 in 2026, which is notably below the national median of $31.30. This discrepancy indicates that those in paralegal roles may find themselves earning less than their counterparts across the country, regardless of the growing demand in legal services. For part-time workers, such as those seeking to fill a position for three days a week, the earnings can still be substantial, although they won't match a full-time paralegal’s potential. Over an average 24-hour workweek, part-time paralegals in Friendswood can expect to earn around $630 weekly. The pay range for entry-level positions starts at approximately $20.17 per hour, climbing to $40.68 for top earners who may work in high-stakes environments like corporate legal departments or specialized e-discovery review teams.
About the Friendswood 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) | $20.17 | $161.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.89 | $175.14 |
| Median (P50) | $26.25 | $210.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.34 | $266.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.68 | $325.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Friendswood
Based on $26.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.25/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Friendswood, TX can expect to earn approximately $54,600 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,500. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Friendswood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Friendswood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,050.01 | $4,550 | $54,600 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $630.00 | $2,730 | $32,760 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $420.00 | $1,820 | $21,840 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Friendswood) | $26.25 |
| 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 Friendswood, TX earn a median of $54,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.13% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $56,458.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.25/hr = $32,760/year (purchasing power: $34,125).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,600/year (purchasing power: $56,875).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Friendswood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Friendswood grew 21.6% from $20.86/hr (2019) to $25.36/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.17/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 Friendswood 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 Friendswood
Understanding the earning potential for paralegals in Friendswood requires consideration of various employment circumstances. A paralegal working part-time can generate an annual income that is notably less than that of full-time professionals, making decisions about work hours crucial. Per diem arrangements and contract roles often see paralegals bill anywhere from $25 to $50 per hour, while specialized corporate positions can demand rates as high as $75. Notably, government positions or work at smaller firms may offer lower hourly rates but often come with benefits such as health insurance, appealing to some paralegals who prefer stability over maximum hourly pay. Negotiating hourly wage can be strategic; professionals should emphasize their skill sets, including familiarity with high-tech e-discovery processes, which may justify higher compensation in certain roles.
More salary data for Friendswood, 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 Friendswood. 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 Friendswood 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