Paralegal Salary

Paralegal Hourly Pay in Killeen, TX: $29.35 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Killeen, TX runs $29.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,040 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Killeen's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,623 per year.

$61,040
Median Annual Salary
$29.35/hr
Hourly Rate
$40,710
Entry Level (P10)
$80,841
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Paralegal Hourly Rate in Killeen, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Killeen, TX paralegal hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Killeen, Texas, paralegals can expect a median hourly pay of $29.35, which is somewhat below the national median of $31.30. This hourly rate provides a stable option for those considering part-time work, typically around three days a week, or per-diem positions in various legal environments, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government legal offices. Entry-level paralegals may begin at around $19.57 per hour, while experienced professionals in the top ten percentile can earn up to $38.87. The range allows for flexibility in scheduling, making this career path suitable for individuals seeking both stability and work-life balance. These figures come from official BLS data, reflecting the evolving landscape of legal support roles.

Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$19.57$156.59
Lower Range (P25)$23.99$191.95
Median (P50)$29.35$234.76
Upper Range (P75)$32.43$259.44
Top Earners (P90)$38.87$310.94

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Killeen

Based on $29.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a paralegal in Killeen earning $29.35/hr would make approximately $35,214 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $61,038 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$35,214Reduced (32 hr/wk)$46,952Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$61,038

At $29.35/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Killeen, TX can expect to earn approximately $61,038 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,214. With a cost-of-living index of 91.13 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Killeen.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$234.76
per 8hr shift
$1,173.80
per week
$5,086
per month
$61,038
per year

Schedule Comparison in Killeen

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,173.80$5,086$61,038
Part-Time (24 hrs)$704.28$3,052$36,623
Per Diem (16 hrs)$469.52$2,035$24,415

Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Paralegal (Killeen)$29.35
Lawyer (National Avg)$81.25
Legal Secretary (National Avg)$26.86
Court Reporter (National Avg)$30.10
Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg)$29.85
Horizontal bar chart comparing paralegal median salary in Killeen ($61,040) with Texas average ($56,466) and the US national median ($65,097).Killeen$61,040Texas Avg$56,466+8.10%US National$65,097-6.23%

Paralegals in Killeen, TX earn a median of $61,040 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.23% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 8.10% above the Texas state average of $56,466.

Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $29.35/hr = $36,623/year (purchasing power: $40,186).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,038/year (purchasing power: $66,977).

CoL index: 91.132 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$23.44/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$28.35/hr

2026 Current Est.

$29.35/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+29.6%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Killeen (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for paralegals in Killeen. Baseline $23.44/hr in 2025, projected to $30.38/hr by 2027.$21$24$26$29$322019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$23.44$22.29$22.30$23.32$22.96$23.56$28.35$29.35$30.38
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$23.44/hrActual
2020$22.29/hrActual
2021$22.30/hrActual
2022$23.32/hrActual
2023$22.96/hrActual
2024$23.56/hrActual
2025$28.35/hrActual
2026(current)$29.35/hrEstimated
2027$30.38/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Killeen grew 20.9% from $23.44/hr (2019) to $28.35/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Killeen

Examining the part-time earning potential reveals that a paralegal in Killeen working 24 hours a week grossing $29.35 per hour would take home approximately $36,675 annually. In contrast, full-time paralegals may benefit from additional compensation options, including benefits that often accompany full-time roles. Contract paralegal work can also be lucrative; per diem paralegals in Killeen typically bill hourly rates ranging from $25 to $50, whereas e-discovery specialists may command $30 to $60 per hour. Freelance corporate paralegals can earn even more, with rates between $40 and $75. Those handling trial preparation during active litigation could see up to $90 per hour. Employers across Killeen—from large law firms to government agencies—often offer varied pay scales. Some paralegals might accept lower hourly rates for positions with health benefits, whereas those prioritizing higher hourly wages might forgo benefits for a more lucrative arrangement. Effective negotiation strategies within Killeen’s market might include emphasizing specialized skills, such as e-discovery experience, to secure higher pay, especially in a growing job market projected to grow at 3.51% annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Killeen in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for paralegals in Killeen is $29.35/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.51% annual growth). Rates range from $19.57 at entry level (10th percentile) to $38.87 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 6.2% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time paralegals make in Killeen?

A part-time paralegal working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Killeen earns approximately $3,052/month, or $36,623/year at the median hourly rate of $29.35. Many paralegals prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are paralegals in Killeen paid hourly or salary?

The majority of paralegals in Killeen are paid hourly at a median rate of $29.35/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $61,038/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Killeen?

A full-time paralegal working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Killeen earns approximately $61,038/year at the median hourly rate of $29.35. This is 6.2% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $80,845/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Killeen?

Part-time and per diem paralegals in Killeen sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $38.87/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Garcia, CLAData verified by Ayesha Khan, CP

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 Killeen. 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

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