Lawyer Salary

Houston vs North Richland Hills: Lawyer Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$165,405
$79.52/hr
North Richland Hills, TX
$131,693
$63.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXNorth Richland Hills, TX
Median Salary$165,405$131,693
Hourly Rate$79.52$63.31
Entry Level (P10)$83,980$76,382
25th Percentile$110,186$94,818
75th Percentile$255,395$168,567
Top Earner (P90)$380,187$204,124
Total Employed16,81017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($165,405) and North Richland Hills ($131,693) lawyer salaries.HoustonNorth Richland HillsMedian Salary$165,405$131,693Entry Level (P10)$83,980$76,382Top Earner (P90)$380,187$204,124US Median $167,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and North Richland Hills is $33,712 (25.60%). 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,North Richland Hills spans $127,742. 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
North Richland Hills
P10 (Entry)$76,382
P25$94,818
Median$131,693
P75$168,567
P90 (Top)$204,124

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($167,704 effective) pays 22.25% more than North Richland Hills ($137,180 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $165,405
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $167,704
North Richland Hills
Nominal: $131,693
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $137,180

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 North Richland Hills 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 North Richland Hills over the same period.

Houston, TX

+16.3%

$135,830 (2019) → $157,980 (2025)

North Richland Hills, TX

+-12.7%

$144,160 (2024) → $125,781 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Houston or North Richland Hills?

Houston has a higher median lawyer salary at $165,405/year, compared to North Richland Hills at $131,693/year — a difference of $33,712 (25.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and North Richland Hills?

Houston lawyers earn $79.52/hr while North Richland Hills hygienists earn $63.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to North Richland Hills as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and North Richland Hills. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $167,704, North Richland Hills = $137,180), job availability (16,810 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Houston vs North Richland Hills?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $83,980 in Houston and $76,382 in North Richland Hills. 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