Paralegal Salary

Houston vs Nacogdoches: Paralegal Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$64,932
$31.22/hr
Nacogdoches, TX
$53,605
$25.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXNacogdoches, TX
Median Salary$64,932$53,605
Hourly Rate$31.22$25.77
Entry Level (P10)$43,640$39,763
25th Percentile$51,589$42,341
75th Percentile$83,046$66,979
Top Earner (P90)$104,928$82,933
Total Employed7,3207
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($64,932) and Nacogdoches ($53,605) paralegal salaries.HoustonNacogdochesMedian Salary$64,932$53,605Entry Level (P10)$43,640$39,763Top Earner (P90)$104,928$82,933US Median $65,097

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Nacogdoches is $11,327 (21.13%). Houston's median is -0.25% compared to the US national median of $65,097.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $61,288,Nacogdoches spans $43,170. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$43,640
P25$51,589
Median$64,932
P75$83,046
P90 (Top)$104,928
Nacogdoches
P10 (Entry)$39,763
P25$42,341
Median$53,605
P75$66,979
P90 (Top)$82,933

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($65,835 effective) pays 17.90% more than Nacogdoches ($55,839 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $64,932
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $65,835
Nacogdoches
Nominal: $53,605
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $55,839

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,932/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,928)
  • Larger job market (7,320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,835)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Nacogdoches if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, paralegal salaries in Houston grew 31.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.3% growth in Nacogdoches over the same period.

Houston, TX

+31.6%

$47,670 (2019) → $62,730 (2025)

Nacogdoches, TX

+-8.3%

$56,490 (2024) → $51,787 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays paralegals more: Houston or Nacogdoches?

Houston has a higher median paralegal salary at $64,932/year, compared to Nacogdoches at $53,605/year — a difference of $11,327 (21.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Nacogdoches?

Houston paralegals earn $31.22/hr while Nacogdoches hygienists earn $25.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Nacogdoches as a paralegal?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Nacogdoches. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $65,835, Nacogdoches = $55,839), job availability (7,320 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level paralegals earn in Houston vs Nacogdoches?

Entry-level (10th percentile) paralegals earn $43,640 in Houston and $39,763 in Nacogdoches. The Houston 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