Lawyer Salary in Austin, TX
Lawyers in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area earn a median $153,330 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $116,067 take-home, or $9,672 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Austin, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$25,533
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,506
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,223
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$116,067
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Lawyer pay by experience in Austin, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,990 | $40.38 | $67,917 | $5,660 |
| 25th percentile | $105,240 | $50.60 | $82,866 | $6,906 |
| Median (50th) | $153,330 | $73.72 | $116,067 | $9,672 |
| 75th percentile | $220,540 | $106.03 | $163,842 | $13,653 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $361,090+ | $173.60 | $253,450 | $21,121 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $153,330 buys in Austin, TX
Prices in Austin, TX are 1.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.20× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median lawyer's $116,067 take-home pay has the buying power of $118,356 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Austin, TX has 1.2× the national concentration of lawyer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Austin, TX ranks #10 of 47 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $188,293 | $170,520 |
| 2 | Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | $119,372 | $130,256 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $208,880 | $144,183 | $128,091 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $212,500 | $139,838 | $120,953 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $157,980 | $119,245 | $120,903 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $170,660 | $122,673 | $119,618 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $153,330 | $116,067 | $118,356 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 47 metros →
About the job: lawyers
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Lawyer salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Dallas, TX — $168,510
- Houston, TX — $157,980
- San Antonio, TX — $137,690
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Austin, TX?
The median lawyer salary in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area is $153,330 a year, or about $73.72 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $105,240 and $220,540.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Austin, TX?
On the median $153,330 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $116,067 a year ($9,672 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Austin, TX a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 1.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $118,356 would in a typical U.S. city. Austin, TX ranks #10 of 47 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer afford rent in Austin, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Austin, TX is $1,562 a month ($1,852 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Austin, TX
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $64,140