Lawyer Salary in University Park, TX: $128,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in University Park, TX earns a median $128,783/year (≈ $61.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in University Park's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $134,149 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, lawyer salaries in University Park, Texas, are projected to reach a median of $128,783, which falls below the national average of $167,174 by nearly 23%. Salaries for legal professionals in this area range from $74,694 at the 10th percentile to $199,614 at the 90th percentile, with local estimates influenced by regional pricing and demand for legal services. While the disparity between public and private sector roles significantly impacts compensation, University Park's legal job market remains relatively stable, reflecting both the city's affluent environment and its strategic location near larger metropolitan areas.
About the University Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,694 | $35.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,723 | $44.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,783 | $61.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,843 | $79.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,614 | $95.97 |
Median Salary Position
22.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Park
In University Park, TX, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,920 (2026 est.). At $128,783, the local median is 22.96% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Park Lawyer Pay Compares
University Park median: $128,783/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $135,991 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -22.96% less |
Lawyers in University Park, TX earn a median of $128,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.96% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.30% below the Texas state average of $135,991.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Park 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.
University Park, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $128,783 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,149 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,722
2025 BLS Actual
$123,002
2026 Current Est.
$128,783
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in University Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,722 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,781 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,597 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,567 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,286 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,974 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,002 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Park metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $94,722 (2019) to $123,002 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,114 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Park 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) | $74,694 – $92,723 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,723 – $128,783 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,783 – $164,843 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,843 – $199,614 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in University Park
With only five lawyers currently employed in University Park, the market remains specialized yet competitive. The cost-of-living index sits at 96, indicating a slightly lower purchasing power than the national average, which can affect take-home earnings. In this region, mid-size and boutique firms often provide more balanced compensation and lifestyle, while larger firms may offer higher pay structures but with demanding hours and billable expectations. Those looking to maximize their pay in University Park should consider networking within the legal community, seeking roles in corporate in-house departments, or targeting firms that may provide greater equity and flexible work arrangements. Understanding the nuances of how lawyer pay in University Park, TX, compares to national trends is essential for making informed career moves.
More salary data for University Park, 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 $123,002 for lawyersin the University Park 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 University Park 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