Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant Salary in Houston, TX
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $46,150 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,262 take-home, or $3,272 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median legal secretary and administrative assistant salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,358
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,861
- Medicare (1.45%)$669
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,262
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,450 | $19.45 | $34,682 | $2,890 |
| 25th percentile | $44,280 | $21.29 | $37,759 | $3,147 |
| Median (50th) | $46,150 | $22.19 | $39,262 | $3,272 |
| 75th percentile | $75,590 | $36.34 | $62,008 | $5,167 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,680 | $39.75 | $66,995 | $5,583 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,150 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median legal secretary and administrative assistant's $39,262 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,807 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Houston, TX has 1.3× the national concentration of legal secretary and administrative assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for legal secretaries and administrative assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #11 of 13 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $77,220 | $59,559 | $54,700 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $79,410 | $60,507 | $52,336 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $75,920 | $58,737 | $52,181 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $62,000 | $51,997 | $46,788 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $62,690 | $49,637 | $45,847 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $59,490 | $47,180 | $45,543 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $56,480 | $45,828 | $44,686 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | $61,780 | $49,261 | $44,027 |
| 11 | Houston, TX | $46,150 | $39,262 | $39,807 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 13 metros →
About the job: legal secretaries and administrative assistants
Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -5.2% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Dallas, TX — $42,690
Frequently asked questions
How much does a legal secretary and administrative assistant make in Houston, TX?
The median legal secretary and administrative assistant salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $46,150 a year, or about $22.19 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,280 and $75,590.
What is a legal secretary and administrative assistant’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $46,150 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $39,262 a year ($3,272 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a legal secretary and administrative assistant?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $55,570. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,807 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #11 of 13 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a legal secretary and administrative assistant afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median legal secretary and administrative assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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