Lawyer Hourly Pay in Commerce City, CO: $59.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Commerce City, CO runs $59.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,415 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Commerce City's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $56.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,649 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Commerce City, Colorado, the projected median lawyer hourly pay for 2026 is set at $59.82, significantly lower than the national median of $80.37. This hourly rate provides diverse opportunities for legal professionals, particularly those considering part-time positions. For instance, a lawyer working three days a week can balance their schedule while earning a competitive wage within the typical settings—ranging from law firm offices to courtrooms and corporate legal departments. The hourly rate for lawyers in this city varies widely, spanning from $34.70 for entry-level attorneys to $92.71 for those at the top of their field. Such rates reflect a broader spectrum of experience and specialization, with data estimates derived from annual salary numbers to assess hourly payments effectively.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.70 | $277.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.06 | $344.50 |
| Median (P50) | $59.82 | $478.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.57 | $612.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.71 | $741.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Commerce City
Based on $59.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.82/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Commerce City, CO can expect to earn approximately $124,415 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,778. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Commerce City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Commerce City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,392.60 | $10,368 | $124,415 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,435.56 | $6,221 | $74,649 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $957.04 | $4,147 | $49,766 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Commerce City) | $59.82 |
| 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 Commerce City, CO earn a median of $124,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.58% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $128,263.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.82/hr = $74,649/year (purchasing power: $71,095).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,415/year (purchasing power: $118,491).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$44.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Commerce City grew 29.9% from $44.00/hr (2019) to $57.13/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.63/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 Commerce City 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 Commerce City
Part-time lawyers working 24 hours per week can take home approximately $74,832 annually, which is substantial compared to full-time earnings, especially when considering the work-life balance it allows. For those in contract or per-diem roles, the pay can range from $25-$50 per hour, which is on the lower end of the legal spectrum. In contrast, more experienced attorneys operating as 1099 of-counsel can command between $200 and $500 per hour, while specialized roles such as expert witness services may invoice clients at rates between $400 and $800 per hour. Hourly compensation can also differ based on the type of employer: BigLaw firms typically offer higher rates, while public interest and government roles can lag behind. Many lawyers face trade-offs when evaluating positions, weighing higher hourly rates against the benefits of steady employment. Negotiating hourly pay often involves demonstrating expertise and experience, but local market dynamics in Commerce City can also dictate the final agreement.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
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 Commerce City. 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 Commerce City 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