Paralegal Hourly Pay in Nacogdoches, TX: $25.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Nacogdoches, TX runs $25.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,605 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Nacogdoches's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,166 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nacogdoches, the paralegal hourly pay stands at a median of $25.77, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This figure reflects the typical earnings of paralegals who find work both in traditional settings such as law firms and corporate legal departments, as well as in more flexible roles like per-diem positions. With an hourly range from $19.12 for entry-level roles to $39.87 for top earners, there is a wide disparity based on experience and specialization. For those working part-time—say, three days a week—this hour-based compensation allows them to maintain a better work-life balance, which is often a priority in this field. It's essential to note that these hourly rates are derived from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data, providing a snapshot of the evolving economic landscape for paralegals in TX.
About the Nacogdoches 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) | $19.12 | $152.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.36 | $162.88 |
| Median (P50) | $25.77 | $206.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.20 | $257.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.87 | $318.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nacogdoches
Based on $25.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.77/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nacogdoches, TX can expect to earn approximately $53,610 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,929. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nacogdoches.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nacogdoches
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,030.96 | $4,467 | $53,610 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $618.58 | $2,680 | $32,166 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $412.38 | $1,787 | $21,444 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Nacogdoches) | $25.77 |
| 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 Nacogdoches, TX earn a median of $53,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.65% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 5.10% below the Texas state average of $56,485.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.77/hr = $32,166/year (purchasing power: $33,506).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,610/year (purchasing power: $55,844).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Nacogdoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Nacogdoches grew 21.6% from $20.49/hr (2019) to $24.90/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.68/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 Nacogdoches 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 Nacogdoches
In terms of part-time earning potential, a paralegal working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $32,400 annually, a figure that underscores the financial differences compared to full-time positions. Many paralegals are attracted to per-diem contracts, where they may command rates that range from $25-$50/hr, depending on the complexity of tasks like e-discovery or trial preparation. Law firms in Nacogdoches may offer different rates compared to in-house legal departments or government positions, where benefits are often a trade-off for lower hourly pay. Freelancers or trial prep specialists often command premium rates that can exceed $50/hr. When negotiating hourly compensation, paralegals should consider the value of benefits and job security against potential higher pay without those perks, carefully weighing the decision based on personal circumstances.
More salary data for Nacogdoches, 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 Nacogdoches. 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 Nacogdoches 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