Lawyer Salary in Odessa, TX: $139,607 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Odessa, TX earns a median $139,607/year (≈ $67.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Odessa's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $148,683 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Odessa, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $139,607, reflecting the town's position within the broader legal market. When examining the total salary range, figures vary significantly from $85,781 at the 10th percentile to as high as $366,021 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from the latest official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, highlight the salary structures shaped by firm types and billable hour expectations. In Odessa, where firms typically pursue 1,800 to 2,400 billable hours annually, the variations in lawyer pay can offer insight into job opportunities and working conditions as the local market grows.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,781 | $41.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,386 | $51.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,607 | $67.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $216,373 | $104.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $366,021 | $175.97 |
Median Salary Position
16.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Odessa
In Odessa, TX, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $280,240 (2026 est.). At $139,607, the local median is 16.49% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Odessa: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Odessa Lawyer Pay Compares
Odessa median: $139,607/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Odessa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $135,937 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -16.49% less |
Lawyers in Odessa, TX earn a median of $139,607 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.49% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 2.70% above the Texas state average of $135,937.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Odessa has a cost of living 6.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Odessa, TX has a cost-of-living index of 93.896 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $139,607 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $148,683 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,270
2025 BLS Actual
$133,340
2026 Current Est.
$139,607
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Odessa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,607 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,169 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Odessa metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 22.0% from $109,270 (2019) to $133,340 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,169 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,899 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Odessa 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) | $85,781 – $106,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,386 – $139,607 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,607 – $216,373 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $216,373 – $366,021 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Odessa
The legal job market in Odessa features approximately 110 practicing lawyers, which presents competitive dynamics for both current and potential legal professionals. A cost-of-living index of 93.896 indicates that living expenses in Odessa are below the national average, impacting overall purchasing power for attorneys. Salary levels differ greatly depending on the firm type, where larger firms may offer the highest compensation packages while smaller firms and solo practitioners typically pay less. To maximize earnings in this market, attorneys should consider opportunities with regional or mid-sized firms and explore potential in-house roles within corporate settings, which are known for providing a better work-life balance even if their salaries don't match the top-tier firms. Understanding the factors driving disparities in pay—such as billable hours, market location, and the distinction between public and private sector roles—can help legal professionals strategically position themselves for growth in the Odessa market.
More salary data for Odessa, 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 $133,340 for lawyersin the Odessa 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