Lawyer Salary

Dallas vs Huntsville: Lawyer Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$176,430
$84.83/hr
Huntsville, TX
$132,755
$63.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXHuntsville, TX
Median Salary$176,430$132,755
Hourly Rate$84.83$63.83
Entry Level (P10)$85,184$76,998
25th Percentile$109,925$95,584
75th Percentile$237,742$169,927
Top Earner (P90)$363,581$205,771
Total Employed17,11011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($176,430) and Huntsville ($132,755) lawyer salaries.DallasHuntsvilleMedian Salary$176,430$132,755Entry Level (P10)$85,184$76,998Top Earner (P90)$363,581$205,771US Median $167,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Huntsville is $43,675 (32.90%). Dallas's median is +5.54% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $278,397,Huntsville spans $128,773. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$85,184
P25$109,925
Median$176,430
P75$237,742
P90 (Top)$363,581
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$76,998
P25$95,584
Median$132,755
P75$169,927
P90 (Top)$205,771

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($171,142 effective) pays 23.76% more than Huntsville ($138,286 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $176,430
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $171,142
Huntsville
Nominal: $132,755
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $138,286

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($176,430/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($363,581)
  • Larger job market (17,110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $171,142)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Dallas grew 29.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.7% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+29.8%

$129,840 (2019) → $168,510 (2025)

Huntsville, TX

+-12.7%

$145,323 (2024) → $126,796 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Dallas or Huntsville?

Dallas has a higher median lawyer salary at $176,430/year, compared to Huntsville at $132,755/year — a difference of $43,675 (32.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Huntsville?

Dallas lawyers earn $84.83/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $63.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Huntsville as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $171,142, Huntsville = $138,286), job availability (17,110 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Dallas vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $85,184 in Dallas and $76,998 in Huntsville. The Dallas area offers higher starting salaries.

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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