What Does Mediation Cost in Texas?
Texas mediators almost universally price by the session, not the hour: a half-day rate and a full-day rate, each charged per party. Because this directory lists each mediator's published rates, we can do something most guides can't — show you the actual numbers.
Current rates across six Texas cities
| City | Half day, per party (median) | Full day, per party (median) |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | $950 ($400–$1,500, n=14) | $1,775 ($800–$3,000, n=14) |
| Dallas | $1,500 ($800–$2,500, n=9) | $3,200 ($1,600–$4,750, n=9) |
| Houston | $1,000 ($775–$1,250, n=5) | $2,000 ($1,550–$2,400, n=5) |
| Austin | $1,100 ($875–$2,000, n=8) | $2,400 ($1,700–$4,000, n=9) |
| Fort Worth | — | — |
| Corpus Christi | — | — |
| All six cities | $1,000 ($400–$2,500, n=40) | $2,000 ($800–$4,750, n=41) |
Medians and ranges computed from rates published by the mediators listed on this directory, as of July 2026. "n" is the number of mediators publishing that rate. Rates are per party; most sessions involve two or more paying parties. Always confirm current rates with the mediator's office.
Three patterns worth noting. Dallas commands a premium — its median full-day rate ($3,200 per party) runs well above the six-city median. San Antonio is the value market, where an experienced panel and lower overhead keep medians below the statewide figure. And everywhere, the spread inside a city is wider than the spread between cities — the range reflects seniority, former judicial service, and demand more than geography.
What the rate includes — and what it might not
A quoted half-day or full-day fee normally covers the mediator's preparation, the session itself, and routine follow-up. Watch for three add-ons: administrative fees some offices charge per case; overtime when a "half day" runs long (many mediators convert to the full-day rate after a set hour); and cancellation fees, which commonly apply inside 3–7 business days of the session. None of these are hidden — the office will tell you when you book — but budget for them.
Who pays?
By default the parties split the mediator's fee equally — a two-party case at a $2,000 full-day rate costs each side $2,000. Courts ordering a case to mediation typically direct the split in the referral order, and parties sometimes reallocate the fee as a term of settlement. In multi-party construction or injury cases, the per-party structure means the mediator's total fee scales with the number of participants.
Half day or full day?
Two-party cases with a bounded dispute — a rear-end collision with completed treatment, an earnest-money standoff — usually resolve in a half day. Book a full day when there are more than two parties, unresolved expert disputes, insurance layers, or genuine emotional distance between the sides. A settled case at a full-day rate is dramatically cheaper than a half-day impasse followed by six more months of litigation.
Ways to spend less
- Compare published rates side by side — they vary by 3–6× inside every city, and a lower rate rarely means a lesser mediator; it often just means a newer full-time neutral building a docket.
- Mediate at the right moment. The fee is wasted when the case isn't ready; it's a bargain the week both sides have their valuations done.
- Consider a virtual session — same rate, but no travel time or conference-room logistics, and easier scheduling for adjusters and out-of-town parties.
Ready to compare? Every mediator on the directory lists rates alongside a live calendar — or start with your city: San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, or Corpus Christi.