Lawyer Salary in Pasadena, TX: $163,242 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Pasadena, TX earns a median $163,242/year (≈ $78.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $170,044 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.1% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pasadena, TX, the projected median annual salary for lawyers in 2026 is $163,242, marking a slight decrease compared to the national average of $167,174. The salary range is wide, spanning from $94,680 at the 10th percentile to $253,025 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the divide often seen between public sector and private practice positions. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data indicate that this compensation picture is informed by regional price adjustments and varying demand for legal specialties. Given the nuances of the Pasadena job market, aspiring legal professionals might find that their earnings depend significantly on their chosen practice area and whether they engage in public service, which offers the potential for loan forgiveness under programs like PSLF.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,680 | $45.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,534 | $56.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,242 | $78.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $208,950 | $100.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $253,025 | $121.65 |
Median Salary Position
2.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, TX, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,345 (2026 est.). At $163,242, the local median is 2.35% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Lawyer Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $163,242/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $135,922 | +20.10% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -2.35% less |
Lawyers in Pasadena, TX earn a median of $163,242 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.35% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 20.10% above the Texas state average of $135,922.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $163,242 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $170,044 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,068
2025 BLS Actual
$155,914
2026 Current Est.
$163,242
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,068 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,944 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,979 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,331 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,322 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,914 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,242 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $170,914 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $120,068 (2019) to $155,914 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $170,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,846 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $94,680 – $117,534 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,534 – $163,242 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,242 – $208,950 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $208,950 – $253,025 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Pasadena
The local legal job market in Pasadena employs about 32 attorneys, indicating a relatively niche community with specific needs. With a cost-of-living index at 96, legal professionals may find their take-home pay stretches further compared to cities with higher living costs. Among the organizations hiring lawyers, private firms, particularly those at the mid-sized level, tend to offer competitive salaries that can reach into the six-figure range, albeit with varying workloads. Government positions, while more modestly compensated, often come with the allure of job security and public service benefits, including student loan repayment programs. The spread in compensation can largely be attributed to firm size, billable hour expectations, and whether positions are in highly competitive markets or more localized settings. To maximize lawyer pay in Pasadena, professionals should consider strategic moves towards firms that prioritize high-volume, billable work or explore in-house opportunities that offer a better work-life balance while providing stable income growth.
More salary data for Pasadena, 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 $155,914 for lawyersin the Pasadena 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
Salary data for Pasadena 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