Lawyer Salary in Killeen, TX: $135,513 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Killeen, TX earns a median $135,513/year (≈ $65.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Killeen's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $148,700 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Killeen, TX, presents a competitive environment for legal professionals, with a median annual lawyer salary projected at $135,513 in 2026, showcasing a significant contrast to the national median of $167,174. The potential earnings in this market span a diverse range, from $94,104 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $327,449 for top earners (P90). These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, emphasizing how billable hour expectations drive the effective hourly compensation for lawyers in various settings. While Killeen's salary figures reflect a lower median than the national standard, the local job market remains dynamic, influenced by the unique characteristics of the city and the positioned legal players.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,104 | $45.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,610 | $53.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,513 | $65.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $205,620 | $98.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $327,449 | $157.43 |
Median Salary Position
18.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Killeen
In Killeen, TX, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $233,345 (2026 est.). At $135,513, the local median is 18.94% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Killeen: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Killeen Lawyer Pay Compares
Killeen median: $135,513/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Killeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $135,921 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -18.94% less |
Lawyers in Killeen, TX earn a median of $135,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.94% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.30% below the Texas state average of $135,921.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Killeen has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Killeen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.132 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $135,513 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,700 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,280
2025 BLS Actual
$129,430
2026 Current Est.
$135,513
2019–2027 Growth
+44.4%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,513 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,882 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Killeen metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 31.7% from $98,280 (2019) to $129,430 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,882 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,602 (44.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $94,104 – $111,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,610 – $135,513 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,513 – $205,620 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $205,620 – $327,449 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Killeen
The local legal profession in Killeen employs approximately 260 lawyers, contributing to a thriving job market that benefits from a cost-of-living index of 91.132, significantly below the national average. This favorable cost of living allows lawyers to stretch their earnings further. Among employers, in-house legal departments and regional law firms generally offer salaries that are competitive, though BigLaw firms can provide higher compensation packages; however, these often come with the expectation of demanding hours. The disparity in lawyer pay in Killeen can be attributed to various factors, including firm size, location, and expected billable hours, which typically range from 1,800 to 2,400 annually. To maximize earnings in this market, lawyers might focus on building relationships within regional firms or explore positions in in-house corporate law, which can provide a balance of reasonable compensation and work-life quality.
More salary data for Killeen, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $129,430 for lawyersin the Killeen metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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