Lawyer Salary in Richardson, TX: $137,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Richardson, TX earns a median $137,616/year (≈ $66.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Richardson's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $143,350 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Lawyers in Richardson, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $137,616 in 2026, a reflection of the varying pay scales across different firm types. The salary range stretches significantly from $79,817 at the lower end (P10) to $213,304 at the high end (P90). This wide disparity highlights the structural divide in the legal market, where BigLaw firms, with their stringent billable hour requirements and higher compensation models, dominate the upper salary tiers, while smaller and mid-market firms may offer more reasonable hours but at lower pay levels. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local price parity, illustrate the local job market for lawyers in Richardson, suggesting opportunities can vary considerably based on practice area and firm type.
About the Richardson Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,817 | $38.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,083 | $47.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,616 | $66.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,148 | $84.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $213,304 | $102.55 |
Median Salary Position
17.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richardson
In Richardson, TX, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $133,487 (2026 est.). At $137,616, the local median is 17.68% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richardson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richardson Lawyer Pay Compares
Richardson median: $137,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richardson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $135,984 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $167,174 | -17.68% less |
Lawyers in Richardson, TX earn a median of $137,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.68% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 1.20% above the Texas state average of $135,984.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richardson 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.
Richardson, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $137,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,350 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,219
2025 BLS Actual
$131,438
2026 Current Est.
$137,616
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Richardson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,219 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,487 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,359 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,739 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,987 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,643 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,438 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,084 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richardson metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $101,219 (2019) to $131,438 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,865 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richardson 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) | $79,817 – $99,083 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,083 – $137,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,616 – $176,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,148 – $213,304 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Richardson
|||SPLIT |||
In terms of market dynamics, Richardson employs around 24 lawyers, indicating a relatively small but stable legal field. With a cost-of-living index of 96, attorneys in the area face a favorable environment for take-home pay compared to the national average. BigLaw firms generally lead in compensation, while in-house legal departments can offer a better work-life balance but slower pay progression. The compensation differences are driven by various factors, including firm size, geographical presence, and partnership opportunities. For lawyers looking to maximize their earnings in Richardson, targeting roles in larger firms or exploring partner tracks can be beneficial, alongside developing niche expertise that can command premium pay. Understanding the competitive landscape and aligning career goals with market realities is key to optimizing legal career outcomes in Richardson, TX.
More salary data for Richardson, 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 $131,438 for lawyersin the Richardson 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 Richardson 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