Lawyer Hourly Pay in Galveston, TX: $65.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Galveston, TX runs $65.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,354 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Galveston's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,810 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galveston, Texas, the lawyer hourly pay stands at a median of $65.55, which trails the national median of $80.37. This hourly rate provides insights for various employment settings and arrangements, whether it be in traditional law firm environments, courtrooms, or remote contract drafting roles. For lawyers working part-time at three days a week, this rate translates to earnings that can accommodate a range of lifestyles, making the profession accessible even to those seeking flexibility. Entry-level lawyers can expect to earn around $38.02 per hour, while experienced professionals can command rates up to $101.61 per hour, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in Galveston where ten lawyers are currently employed.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.02 | $304.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.20 | $377.59 |
| Median (P50) | $65.55 | $524.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.91 | $671.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.61 | $812.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galveston
Based on $65.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.55/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galveston, TX can expect to earn approximately $136,350 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,663. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galveston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galveston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,622.11 | $11,362 | $136,350 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,573.26 | $6,817 | $81,810 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,048.84 | $4,545 | $54,540 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Galveston) | $65.55 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Galveston, TX earn a median of $136,354 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.44% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $135,946.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.55/hr = $81,810/year (purchasing power: $85,218).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,350/year (purchasing power: $142,031).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Galveston grew 29.9% from $48.22/hr (2019) to $62.61/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $68.63/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galveston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Galveston
When analyzing the financial landscape of legal work in Galveston, a part-time attorney working 24 hours a week would take home approximately $81,798 annually, a significant variance compared to full-time positions. For those in per diem roles, hourly compensation can range broadly—contract attorneys may bill between $25 and $50 per hour for routine tasks, while seasoned attorneys involved in consultations or expert witness roles can earn $400 to $800 per hour. This variation often hinges on the employer type; BigLaw firms tend to offer higher pay scales, such as Cravath-scale salaries, but at the cost of demanding billable hours. In contrast, in-house roles often provide better work-life balance despite slower growth in hourly rates. For legal professionals, careful negotiation is essential, especially in Galveston, where benefits such as health insurance can be a deciding factor against outlooks for higher compensation without additional perks.
More salary data for Galveston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Galveston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Galveston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov