Paralegal Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $31.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Houston, TX runs $31.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,932 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,961 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, paralegals earn a median hourly rate of $31.22, which is slightly lower than the national median of $31.30. This competitive hourly pay supports various working arrangements, including part-time roles at law firms, remote e-discovery reviews, and contract positions that allow for flexibility. With an hourly range extending from $20.98 for entry-level positions to $50.45 for top earners, paralegals in the area can expect diverse opportunities depending on their experience and specialization. Typical workplaces include traditional law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices, where paralegals provide essential support in open office settings or from remote environments.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.98 | $167.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.80 | $198.41 |
| Median (P50) | $31.22 | $249.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.92 | $319.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.45 | $403.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $31.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.22/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $64,935 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,462. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,248.74 | $5,411 | $64,935 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $749.25 | $3,247 | $38,961 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.50 | $2,164 | $25,974 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Houston) | $31.22 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $64,932 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.25% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 15.00% above the Texas state average of $56,462.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.22/hr = $38,961/year (purchasing power: $39,502).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,935/year (purchasing power: $65,837).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Houston grew 31.6% from $22.92/hr (2019) to $30.16/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.31/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 Houston 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 Houston
For a paralegal working part-time, say 24 hours per week, this hourly pay translates into an estimated annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, which may lead professionals to consider the benefits of contract roles. Often, per-diem paralegals in Houston may find rates ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, while specialists in e-discovery could command $30 to $60 hourly. Freelancers often see pay ranging from $40 to $75 an hour, depending on the business sector. Different employers offer varying compensation based on the type of work; for instance, BigLaw firms tend to provide higher hourly pay in exchange for demanding hours, while corporate positions might offer a steadier schedule with health benefits. Paralegals should weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher compensation on contract basis, while also honing negotiation skills to advocate for their worth in this competitive market in Houston, TX.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Houston in 2026?
How much do part-time paralegals make in Houston?
Are paralegals in Houston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Houston?
Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Houston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Houston. 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