Lawyer Hourly Pay in Russellville, AR: $45.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Russellville, AR runs $45.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,803 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Russellville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,278 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Russellville, the lawyer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $45.09 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $80.37. This disparity indicates the local market may not support the more lucrative billable rates found in major urban centers. For part-time lawyers working three days a week, the hourly rate means potential earnings of around $54,000 annually if working a typical schedule, which can vary based on the nature of their practice in environments such as law firm partner offices, courtrooms, or corporate legal departments. The hourly pay range for lawyers here spans from $26.15 at the lower end for entry-level positions to as high as $69.90 for those at the top of the profession, reflecting varying levels of experience and the complexity of work undertaken.
About the Russellville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.15 | $209.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.47 | $259.74 |
| Median (P50) | $45.09 | $360.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.72 | $461.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.90 | $559.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Russellville
Based on $45.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.09/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Russellville, AR can expect to earn approximately $93,796 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,113. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Russellville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Russellville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,803.77 | $7,816 | $93,796 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,082.26 | $4,690 | $56,278 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $721.51 | $3,127 | $37,518 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Russellville) | $45.09 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Russellville, AR earn a median of $93,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.89% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.40% below the Arkansas state average of $97,104.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.09/hr = $56,278/year (purchasing power: $64,761).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,796/year (purchasing power: $107,936).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Russellville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Russellville grew 29.9% from $33.17/hr (2019) to $43.07/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.21/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Russellville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Russellville
Exploring part-time opportunities further complicates the financial picture. A lawyer working only 24 hours a week may take home substantially less than their full-time counterparts, leading to around $48,000 a year—far below what full-time practitioners earn. The reality of per-diem lawyer pay in Russellville varies widely, with contract roles typically billing between $25 and $50 an hour, while more specialized arrangements can reach upwards of $200 to $500 per hour. Work as an expert witness or consulting attorney can command even higher hourly rates of $400 to $800. Different employer types influence these figures, with larger firms or government roles often offering lower hourly rates alongside the security of benefits. In negotiating, lawyers may have to weigh the trade-offs between a higher hourly wage without benefits against lower rates that include healthcare and retirement plans. Building a solid reputation and networking within the local legal community may also provide better opportunities for higher billing rates and enhanced job security.
More salary data for Russellville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Russellville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Russellville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov