Lawyer Salary

Austin vs Kingsville: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Austin, TX and Kingsville, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$160,537
$77.18/hr
Kingsville, TX
$130,203
$62.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXKingsville, TX
Median Salary$160,537$130,203
Hourly Rate$77.18$62.60
Entry Level (P10)$87,938$75,518
25th Percentile$110,186$93,746
75th Percentile$230,905$166,659
Top Earner (P90)$378,061$201,814
Total Employed7,5405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($160,537) and Kingsville ($130,203) lawyer salaries.AustinKingsvilleMedian Salary$160,537$130,203Entry Level (P10)$87,938$75,518Top Earner (P90)$378,061$201,814US Median $167,174

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kingsville.

The salary gap between Austin and Kingsville is $30,334 (23.30%). Austin's median is -3.97% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $290,123,Kingsville spans $126,296. Austin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$87,938
P25$110,186
Median$160,537
P75$230,905
P90 (Top)$378,061
Kingsville
P10 (Entry)$75,518
P25$93,746
Median$130,203
P75$166,659
P90 (Top)$201,814

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($163,703 effective) pays 20.70% more than Kingsville ($135,628 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $160,537
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $163,703
Kingsville
Nominal: $130,203
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $135,628

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($160,537/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($378,061)
  • Larger job market (7,540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $163,703)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Kingsville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Austin grew 32.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.7% growth in Kingsville over the same period.

Austin, TX

+32.6%

$115,630 (2019) → $153,330 (2025)

Kingsville, TX

+-12.7%

$142,529 (2024) → $124,358 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Austin or Kingsville?

Austin has a higher median lawyer salary at $160,537/year, compared to Kingsville at $130,203/year — a difference of $30,334 (23.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Kingsville?

Austin lawyers earn $77.18/hr while Kingsville hygienists earn $62.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Kingsville as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Kingsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $163,703, Kingsville = $135,628), job availability (7,540 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Austin vs Kingsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $87,938 in Austin and $75,518 in Kingsville. The Austin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov