Paralegal Hourly Pay in Galveston, TX: $27.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Galveston, TX runs $27.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,656 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Galveston's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,987 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galveston, Texas, paralegals command a median hourly pay of $27.23, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.30. This pay scale presents various options for part-time employment, where professionals working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can earn a reasonable income while maintaining a flexible schedule. The hourly pay range for paralegals in Galveston spans from $18.93 for entry-level positions to $42.22 for those at the top of their field. Such roles typically exist within law office cubicles, corporate legal department environments, and even remote settings for e-discovery projects. These estimated figures are drawn from annual salary data, reflecting the earnings potential within diverse employment settings, including real estate title companies and government legal offices.
About the Galveston 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) | $18.93 | $151.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.29 | $170.34 |
| Median (P50) | $27.23 | $217.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.66 | $277.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.22 | $337.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galveston
Based on $27.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.23/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galveston, TX can expect to earn approximately $56,646 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,680. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galveston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galveston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,089.34 | $4,720 | $56,646 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $653.60 | $2,832 | $33,987 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.74 | $1,888 | $22,658 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Galveston) | $27.23 |
| 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 Galveston, TX earn a median of $56,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.97% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $56,487.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.23/hr = $33,987/year (purchasing power: $35,404).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,646/year (purchasing power: $59,006).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Galveston grew 21.6% from $21.65/hr (2019) to $26.31/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.19/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 Galveston 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 Galveston
Hourly earning potential becomes quite interesting when examining part-time versus full-time scenarios in Galveston. For instance, a paralegal working 24 hours per week at the median hourly rate would take home approximately $33,938 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. On the contract side, per diem paralegals often earn between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialists in e-discovery can command rates from $30 to $60. Freelance paralegals offering services to small businesses might earn $40 to $75 per hour, and those involved in trial preparations during active litigation see rates ranging from $50 to $90. It's important to note that the rates differ greatly depending on the type of employer, where law firms, government entities, and corporate legal departments each have distinct pay structures. Paralegals often face a trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits and more stable positions offering health insurance. Strategic negotiation is vital; emphasizing experience, specialized training, or certifications from recognized organizations like NALA or NFPA can lead to better compensation in Galveston’s evolving job market.
More salary data for Galveston, 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 Galveston. 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 Galveston 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