Lawyer Hourly Pay in Wilmington, DE: $87.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Wilmington, DE runs $87.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $181,733 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $85.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $109,040 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilmington, Delaware, the projected median hourly pay for lawyers in 2026 stands at $87.37, surpassing the national median of $80.37. This higher hourly rate benefits part-time attorneys who may work three days a week, translating into a compelling income while allowing for a work-life balance. Per-diem legal professionals, often serving in various settings—including law firm partner offices, courtrooms, or remote environments—can expect to earn between $50.67 and $135.43 per hour, catering to both entry-level roles and seasoned practitioners. This hourly wage range reflects Wilmington's diverse legal landscape, which caters to a mixture of practices, from corporate law to public interest work.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($155,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.67 | $405.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.90 | $503.23 |
| Median (P50) | $87.37 | $698.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111.84 | $894.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135.43 | $1083.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $87.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $87.37/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, DE can expect to earn approximately $181,734 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $104,847. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,494.89 | $15,145 | $181,734 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,096.93 | $9,087 | $109,040 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,397.95 | $6,058 | $72,694 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Wilmington) | $87.37 |
| 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 Wilmington, DE earn a median of $181,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.71% higher than the national median of $167,174 and 1.70% above the Delaware state average of $178,695.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $87.37/hr = $109,040/year (purchasing power: $107,218).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $181,734/year (purchasing power: $178,696).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$83.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$87.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $66.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $66.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $70.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $76.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $83.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Wilmington grew 29.9% from $64.26/hr (2019) to $83.45/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $91.48/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Considering part-time arrangements, a lawyer in Wilmington working 24 hours a week could expect to earn around $109,000 annually, depending on their hourly engagements. Contract work, such as document review, often sees rates at the lower end, between $25 and $50 per hour, contrasting sharply with the more lucrative 1099 arrangements that established attorneys might command, billing upwards of $200 to $500 per hour. Within the Wilmington market, different employer types influence hourly rates significantly. Larger firms tend to offer compensation aligned with BigLaw expectations, while mid-size firms and public sector positions provide a more modest pay scale, particularly attractive for those seeking better benefits packages. Navigating this dynamic market, lawyers should weigh options not just based on hourly pay, but also on the potential long-term value of additional benefits, especially in the context of health insurance and retirement plans.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for lawyers in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time lawyers make in Wilmington?
Are lawyers in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time lawyer make per year in Wilmington?
Do lawyers earn more per hour working part-time in Wilmington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 Wilmington. 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 Wilmington 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