Lawyer Salary in Texas: $149K Median

The average Lawyer salary in Texas is $148,675 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $66,300 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $255,000 (90th percentile). Texas has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.

Lawyers in Texas earn approximately 2% more than the US national median ($145,760 nationally vs $148,675 in Texas). Texas's cost-of-living index of 93 amplifies the real purchasing power.

Yes — Lawyer salaries in Texas grew approximately 440.0% year-over-year, from $27,532 in 2025 to $148,675 in 2026. This reflects the broader Legal sector's wage growth, driven by Legal AI tools and M&A demand.

Top-paying Texas metros for Lawyers: Houston ($153K), Dallas ($153K), Austin ($168K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.

Lawyer roles growing 5% nationally. Big Law associate salaries hit $225K starting in 2026. AI-skilled lawyers commanding premiums. Texas's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Tech, Healthcare, and the state's unemployment rate is 4.1% — steady demand for skilled workers.

No, Texas has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $148,675, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).

Hottest 2026 skills: Legal AI tools, M&A, Privacy law, Tech transactions, Compliance. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Texas employers.

Market for my class year at peer firms is $X plus the standard year-end bonus. I'd like to match market on base with a clear bonus structure tied to billable hours. Beyond base, negotiate: Year-end / Cravath-scale bonus, Bar exam fees, prep courses, admission costs in additional states, CLE allowance and bar association dues, Hybrid or remote schedule (now common post-2024). Walk-away anchor for Texas: $135,159.