Lawyer Hourly Pay in San Antonio, TX: $69.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in San Antonio, TX runs $69.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $144,161 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against San Antonio's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $73.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,501 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for lawyers in San Antonio, Texas, is projected to be $69.31, notably lower than the national median of $80.37. This disparity might shape the earnings of those working part-time or on a per-diem basis; for example, a lawyer working three days a week could still generate considerable income while enjoying greater flexibility. The hourly pay range for lawyers in the area spans from $42.85 at the 10th percentile to $164.75 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of roles available—from entry-level associates in law firm partner offices to seasoned attorneys charging premium rates in high-stakes cases. This official statistic from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights the evolving landscape of legal work, where many professionals work in varied settings including courthouses, corporate legal departments, and even remotely drafting contracts.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.85 | $342.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.64 | $429.10 |
| Median (P50) | $69.31 | $554.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102.91 | $823.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164.75 | $1317.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Antonio
Based on $69.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.31/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Antonio, TX can expect to earn approximately $144,168 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,174. With a cost-of-living index of 94.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Antonio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Antonio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,772.46 | $12,014 | $144,168 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,663.47 | $7,208 | $86,501 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,108.98 | $4,806 | $57,667 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (San Antonio) | $69.31 |
| 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 San Antonio, TX earn a median of $144,161 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.77% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 6.10% above the Texas state average of $135,873.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.31/hr = $86,501/year (purchasing power: $91,326).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $144,168/year (purchasing power: $152,211).
CoL index: 94.716 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in San Antonio grew 26.6% from $52.31/hr (2019) to $66.20/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.57/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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio
When examining the potential earnings for a lawyer in a part-time capacity, a typical schedule of three days a week amounts to an impressive annual take-home compared to traditional full-time roles. Additionally, per-diem work is a notable reality in the legal field; contract attorneys often find themselves in a wide billing range, from $25 to $50 per hour for document review projects, while experienced attorneys providing consulting services may charge anywhere from $200 to $500 per hour, with expert witness roles reaching up to $800 per hour. In San Antonio, compensation varies significantly depending on the employer type, whether it's a large firm like those on the Cravath scale, mid-sized firms, or public sector roles. While larger firms may offer higher hourly rates, they often demand rigorous billable hour commitments, leading some lawyers to choose lower-paying positions in exchange for job stability and benefits like health insurance. For those working in a freelance capacity, it is advisable to negotiate rates based on regional standards and personal expertise, ensuring competitiveness in various segments of the Texas legal market.
More salary data for San Antonio, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for lawyers in San Antonio in 2026?
How much do part-time lawyers make in San Antonio?
Are lawyers in San Antonio paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time lawyer make per year in San Antonio?
Do lawyers earn more per hour working part-time in San Antonio?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 San Antonio. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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