Paralegal and Legal Assistant Salary in Dallas, TX
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area earn a median $63,220 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,977 take-home, or $4,415 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paralegal and legal assistant salary in Dallas, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,406
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,920
- Medicare (1.45%)$917
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$52,977
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Paralegal and Legal Assistant pay by experience in Dallas, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,730 | $18.62 | $33,300 | $2,775 |
| 25th percentile | $48,760 | $23.44 | $41,359 | $3,447 |
| Median (50th) | $63,220 | $30.39 | $52,977 | $4,415 |
| 75th percentile | $80,700 | $38.80 | $65,602 | $5,467 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,920 | $48.52 | $79,827 | $6,652 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $63,220 buys in Dallas, TX
Prices in Dallas, TX are 3.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.18× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paralegal and legal assistant's $52,977 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,389 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant jobs are about as common in Dallas, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for paralegals and legal assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Dallas, TX ranks #23 of 36 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $92,900 | $74,185 | $66,753 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $80,500 | $62,628 | $59,205 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $81,590 | $62,262 | $57,182 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $79,850 | $61,232 | $56,557 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $78,550 | $59,993 | $56,242 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $76,220 | $58,791 | $56,087 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $66,720 | $55,768 | $55,648 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $63,880 | $51,443 | $55,588 |
| 23 | Dallas, TX | $63,220 | $52,977 | $51,389 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 36 metros →
About the job: paralegals and legal assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Paralegal and Legal Assistant salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Austin, TX — $64,140
- Houston, TX — $62,730
- San Antonio, TX — $53,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Dallas, TX?
The median paralegal and legal assistant salary in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area is $63,220 a year, or about $30.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,760 and $80,700.
What is a paralegal and legal assistant’s take-home pay in Dallas, TX?
On the median $63,220 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $52,977 a year ($4,415 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Dallas, TX a good place to work as a paralegal and legal assistant?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $62,890. Local prices are 3.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,389 would in a typical U.S. city. Dallas, TX ranks #23 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paralegal and legal assistant afford rent in Dallas, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Dallas, TX is $1,586 a month ($1,858 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median paralegal and legal assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Dallas, TX
- Lawyer — $168,510