Lawyer Hourly Pay in Belleville, IL: $61.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Belleville, IL runs $61.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,873 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Belleville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,126 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Belleville, Illinois, the estimated median hourly pay for lawyers in 2026 is set at $61.00, significantly lower than the national median of $80.37. This discrepancy can impact various work arrangements, particularly for those considering part-time opportunities or per-diem roles. For instance, a lawyer working three days a week may find the hourly rate suitable for managing work-life balance while still earning a competitive rate. Hourly rates for legal professionals in the region span a wide spectrum, with entry-level positions beginning at approximately $35.38 and experienced attorneys earning as much as $94.54. These figures reflect the broad range of career paths available within the legal field in Belleville, encompassing settings such as law firm offices, courtrooms, and corporate environments.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($165,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.38 | $283.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.92 | $351.37 |
| Median (P50) | $61.00 | $487.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.07 | $624.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.54 | $756.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Belleville
Based on $61.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.00/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Belleville, IL can expect to earn approximately $126,876 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,198. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Belleville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Belleville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,439.93 | $10,573 | $126,876 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,463.96 | $6,344 | $76,126 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $975.97 | $4,229 | $50,751 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Belleville) | $61.00 |
| 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 Belleville, IL earn a median of $126,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.11% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $132,991.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.00/hr = $76,126/year (purchasing power: $78,399).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,876/year (purchasing power: $130,666).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Belleville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Belleville grew 29.9% from $44.87/hr (2019) to $58.26/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.87/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 Belleville 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 Belleville
When considering part-time work, a lawyer working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $76,032 annually, quite distinct from their full-time counterparts. The reality of per diem work is noteworthy; contract attorney positions may offer pay ranging from $25 to $50 per hour, whereas seasoned legal professionals in 1099 arrangements could command fees of $200 to $500 per hour. Moreover, those taking on expert witness or consulting roles might earn between $400 and $800 hourly. The variation in hourly rates can largely be attributed to the type of employer in Belleville, with BigLaw firms at the higher end of compensation while government roles typically offer lower hourly pay but may include benefits. Lawyers may have to balance the trade-offs of higher pay against job security and benefits when negotiating terms. Familiarity with the local legal market, including planning for competitive pay rates and understanding employer expectations, can facilitate more effective salary negotiations.
More salary data for Belleville, IL:
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 Belleville. 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 Belleville 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