Paralegal and Legal Assistant Salary in Houston, TX
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $62,730 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,584 take-home, or $4,382 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paralegal and legal assistant salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,348
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,889
- Medicare (1.45%)$910
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$52,584
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 Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,160 | $20.27 | $36,056 | $3,005 |
| 25th percentile | $49,840 | $23.96 | $42,226 | $3,519 |
| Median (50th) | $62,730 | $30.16 | $52,584 | $4,382 |
| 75th percentile | $80,230 | $38.57 | $65,272 | $5,439 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,370 | $48.74 | $80,144 | $6,679 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $62,730 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 paralegal and legal assistant's $52,584 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,314 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 Houston, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for paralegals and legal assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #14 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 |
| 14 | Houston, TX | $62,730 | $52,584 | $53,314 |
*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
- Dallas, TX — $63,220
- San Antonio, TX — $53,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paralegal and legal assistant make in Houston, TX?
The median paralegal and legal assistant salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $62,730 a year, or about $30.16 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,840 and $80,230.
What is a paralegal and legal assistant’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $62,730 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $52,584 a year ($4,382 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a paralegal and legal assistant?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $62,890. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,314 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #14 of 36 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paralegal and legal 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) — 30% of a median paralegal and legal assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Houston, TX
- Lawyer — $157,980