Paralegal Salary

Dallas vs Friendswood: Paralegal Salary (2026)

Compare paralegal salaries between Dallas, TX and Friendswood, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$65,439
$31.47/hr
Friendswood, TX
$54,595
$26.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXFriendswood, TX
Median Salary$65,439$54,595
Hourly Rate$31.47$26.25
Entry Level (P10)$40,089$41,953
25th Percentile$50,471$45,539
75th Percentile$83,533$69,342
Top Earner (P90)$104,462$84,623
Total Employed8,3208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($65,439) and Friendswood ($54,595) paralegal salaries.DallasFriendswoodMedian Salary$65,439$54,595Entry Level (P10)$40,089$41,953Top Earner (P90)$104,462$84,623US Median $65,097

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for paralegals, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Friendswood.

The salary gap between Dallas and Friendswood is $10,844 (19.86%). Dallas's median is +0.53% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $64,373,Friendswood spans $42,670. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$40,089
P25$50,471
Median$65,439
P75$83,533
P90 (Top)$104,462
Friendswood
P10 (Entry)$41,953
P25$45,539
Median$54,595
P75$69,342
P90 (Top)$84,623

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($63,478 effective) pays 11.62% more than Friendswood ($56,870 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $65,439
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $63,478
Friendswood
Nominal: $54,595
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $56,870

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,439/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,462)
  • Larger job market (8,320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,478)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Friendswood if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Dallas grew 10.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.3% growth in Friendswood over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+10.4%

$57,260 (2019) → $63,220 (2025)

Friendswood, TX

+-8.3%

$57,533 (2024) → $52,744 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Dallas or Friendswood?

Dallas has a higher median paralegal salary at $65,439/year, compared to Friendswood at $54,595/year — a difference of $10,844 (19.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Friendswood?

Dallas paralegals earn $31.47/hr while Friendswood hygienists earn $26.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Friendswood as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Friendswood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $63,478, Friendswood = $56,870), job availability (8,320 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Dallas vs Friendswood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $40,089 in Dallas and $41,953 in Friendswood. The Friendswood area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, JD

Career Analyst

Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Garcia, CLAData verified by Ayesha Khan, CP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.51% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov