Houston lawyer salary: rankings and context
After a simplified 17% national tax estimate that is about US$10,900 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
How Houston compares with United States and TX
San Jose leads at US$301,320, 91% above Houston, while Jacksonville sits at US$127,920. The neighbours in the ranking are Miami and Portland.
Compared only with other TX metros — San Antonio (US$137,690), Dallas (US$168,510) and Austin (US$153,330) — Houston ranks 2nd of 4, 2% over the US$154,400 state average.
Take-home, rent and buying power for Houston lawyers
Price levels in Houston (index 100) neither inflate nor shrink the paycheck much; adjusted for costs it is worth about US$158,000.
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 14th of 21 either way.
Run the median through our simplified tax model (17% effective) and about US$10,900 lands each month. Budget US$1,650 for a modeled 1-bedroom — 15% of pay — and other modeled costs, and roughly US$7,440 remains.
Other TX options for lawyers
In San Antonio — also in TX — the median is US$137,690 (-13% vs Houston), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,280 less each month.
Dallas (also in TX) pays US$168,510, 7% more than Houston; modeled monthly leftover is US$670 higher.
A lawyer moving from Houston to New York (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median rise 32% to US$208,880, with US$3,230 more left over monthly in our model.
Where Lawyer ranks among Houston jobs
No tracked occupation in Houston out-earns lawyer (9 roles compared); the runner-up, Software Engineer, sits at US$129,440.
How Houston ranks at the low and high end
The Houston market rewards seniority more than entry: the 90th percentile (US$363,120) ranks 7th of 21, but the 10th (US$80,210) only 16th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$421,000 at the 90th percentile, +16% against Houston.
Spread between low and high lawyer pay in Houston
The 90th percentile (US$363,120) is 4.5× the 10th (US$80,210), a wide band that usually reflects different seniority levels and employer types under one title.