Lawyer Salary

Houston vs Mansfield: Lawyer Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$165,405
$79.52/hr
Mansfield, TX
$132,339
$63.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXMansfield, TX
Median Salary$165,405$132,339
Hourly Rate$79.52$63.63
Entry Level (P10)$83,980$76,757
25th Percentile$110,186$95,284
75th Percentile$255,395$169,393
Top Earner (P90)$380,187$205,125
Total Employed16,81018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($165,405) and Mansfield ($132,339) lawyer salaries.HoustonMansfieldMedian Salary$165,405$132,339Entry Level (P10)$83,980$76,757Top Earner (P90)$380,187$205,125US Median $167,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Mansfield is $33,066 (24.99%). Houston's median is -1.06% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $296,207,Mansfield spans $128,368. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$83,980
P25$110,186
Median$165,405
P75$255,395
P90 (Top)$380,187
Mansfield
P10 (Entry)$76,757
P25$95,284
Median$132,339
P75$169,393
P90 (Top)$205,125

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($167,704 effective) pays 21.65% more than Mansfield ($137,853 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $165,405
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $167,704
Mansfield
Nominal: $132,339
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $137,853

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($165,405/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($380,187)
  • Larger job market (16,810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $167,704)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Mansfield if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Houston grew 16.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.7% growth in Mansfield over the same period.

Houston, TX

+16.3%

$135,830 (2019) → $157,980 (2025)

Mansfield, TX

+-12.7%

$144,867 (2024) → $126,398 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Houston or Mansfield?

Houston has a higher median lawyer salary at $165,405/year, compared to Mansfield at $132,339/year — a difference of $33,066 (24.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Mansfield?

Houston lawyers earn $79.52/hr while Mansfield hygienists earn $63.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Mansfield as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Mansfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $167,704, Mansfield = $137,853), job availability (16,810 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Houston vs Mansfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $83,980 in Houston and $76,757 in Mansfield. The Houston 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