Lawyer Hourly Pay in Lawrence, KS: $51.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Lawrence, KS runs $51.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,914 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Lawrence's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,745 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the hourly pay for lawyers in Lawrence, Kansas is projected to be $51.88, significantly below the national median hourly rate of $80.37. For attorneys working part-time, such as those on a three-day work week, the income potential can fluctuate based on their caseload and hourly billing practices. These lawyers can expect to earn around $39,000 a year if they log approximately 24 hours per week. Even at the low end, entry-level attorneys in Lawrence can anticipate an hourly rate of about $38.32, while top earners may command as much as $99.06 per hour. This hourly data reflects the work environment typical of law firms, government offices, and in-house legal departments, where lawyers may also find themselves taking on per-diem work to supplement their income as needed.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.32 | $306.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.33 | $338.64 |
| Median (P50) | $51.88 | $415.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.93 | $575.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.06 | $792.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawrence
Based on $51.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.88/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawrence, KS can expect to earn approximately $107,908 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,255. With a cost-of-living index of 90.24 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lawrence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lawrence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,075.15 | $8,992 | $107,908 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,245.09 | $5,395 | $64,745 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $830.06 | $3,597 | $43,163 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Lawrence) | $51.88 |
| 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 Lawrence, KS earn a median of $107,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.45% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 29.00% below the Kansas state average of $151,992.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.88/hr = $64,745/year (purchasing power: $71,745).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,908/year (purchasing power: $119,575).
CoL index: 90.243 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Lawrence grew 9.7% from $45.18/hr (2019) to $49.55/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.32/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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence
Contract work offers a different financial reality for attorneys; while per diem lawyer pay in Lawrence generally hovers around $25 to $50 per hour for tasks like document review, higher-end roles, such as expert witness consulting, can bill $400 to $800 per hour. Many lawyers may balance their hourly goals against employment benefits, leading them to choose lower hourly salaries that come with health insurance and retirement packages. Different types of legal employers influence earnings as well; larger firms pay more but often demand longer hours, while small or boutique firms may offer a better work-life balance at the cost of lower pay. Those considering negotiating their contracts should be prepared to advocate for competitive hourly rates reflective of their skills and the local market, particularly as these figures evolve with a projected growth rate of 4.70% over the next five years in the legal profession.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
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 Lawrence. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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