Paralegal Hourly Pay in Lubbock, TX: $22.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Lubbock, TX runs $22.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,387 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Lubbock's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,433 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lubbock, the paralegal hourly pay averages $22.78, significantly below the national hourly median of $31.30. This lower rate directly impacts part-time workers in the field, particularly those on a 3-day work schedule, who may find their earnings limited compared to full-time peers. The hourly wages range from $14.78 for entry-level positions to as much as $37.40 for experienced paralegals. These professionals typically operate in varied environments such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices, where they handle essential tasks related to legal research, documentation, and client support. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, the pay rate reflects Lubbock's cost of living, which is lower than the national average.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.78 | $118.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.76 | $142.10 |
| Median (P50) | $22.78 | $182.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.02 | $240.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.40 | $299.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lubbock
Based on $22.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.78/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lubbock, TX can expect to earn approximately $47,388 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,339. With a cost-of-living index of 91.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lubbock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lubbock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $911.30 | $3,949 | $47,388 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $546.78 | $2,369 | $28,433 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $364.52 | $1,580 | $18,955 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Lubbock) | $22.78 |
| 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 Lubbock, TX earn a median of $47,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.21% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 16.10% below the Texas state average of $56,480.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.78/hr = $28,433/year (purchasing power: $31,136).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,388/year (purchasing power: $51,894).
CoL index: 91.317 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Lubbock grew 13.6% from $19.38/hr (2019) to $22.01/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.58/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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock
For paralegals who choose to work part-time in Lubbock, taking home a consistent income can be solid despite the hourly rate. A paralegal working 24 hours a week could expect an annual income reflecting their reduced hours, while full-time positions allow for more comprehensive benefits. Contractual opportunities for per diem paralegals can significantly increase earning potential, with rates ranging from $25 to $90 per hour depending on the task, such as trial preparation or e-discovery roles, which are often more lucrative due to their specialized nature. Additionally, differing hourly rates can be observed based on employer type; BigLaw firms may offer higher compensation with demanding hours, while in-house departments often provide better work-life balance in exchange for a lower rate. Many paralegals, when considering negotiations in Lubbock, weigh the importance of benefits against higher hourly wages, targeting their conversations to reflect their unique skills while remaining competitive in the local job market.
More salary data for Lubbock, 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 Lubbock. 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