Lawyer Salary

Austin vs Weatherford: Lawyer Salary (2026)

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

Austin, TX
$160,537
$77.18/hr
Weatherford, TX
$132,313
$63.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXWeatherford, TX
Median Salary$160,537$132,313
Hourly Rate$77.18$63.62
Entry Level (P10)$87,938$76,741
25th Percentile$110,186$95,265
75th Percentile$230,905$169,360
Top Earner (P90)$378,061$205,084
Total Employed7,5409
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($160,537) and Weatherford ($132,313) lawyer salaries.AustinWeatherfordMedian Salary$160,537$132,313Entry Level (P10)$87,938$76,741Top Earner (P90)$378,061$205,084US Median $167,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Austin and Weatherford is $28,224 (21.33%). 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,Weatherford spans $128,343. 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
Weatherford
P10 (Entry)$76,741
P25$95,265
Median$132,313
P75$169,360
P90 (Top)$205,084

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($163,703 effective) pays 18.78% more than Weatherford ($137,826 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $160,537
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $163,703
Weatherford
Nominal: $132,313
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $137,826

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 Weatherford 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 Weatherford over the same period.

Austin, TX

+32.6%

$115,630 (2019) → $153,330 (2025)

Weatherford, TX

+-12.7%

$144,838 (2024) → $126,373 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Austin or Weatherford?

Austin has a higher median lawyer salary at $160,537/year, compared to Weatherford at $132,313/year — a difference of $28,224 (21.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Weatherford?

Austin lawyers earn $77.18/hr while Weatherford hygienists earn $63.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Weatherford as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Weatherford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $163,703, Weatherford = $137,826), job availability (7,540 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $87,938 in Austin and $76,741 in Weatherford. 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