Lawyer Hourly Pay in Leawood, KS: $70.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Leawood, KS runs $70.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,229 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Leawood's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $77.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,742 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, lawyers in Leawood, Kansas, can expect a median hourly pay of $70.31, which is lower compared to the national median of $80.37. This difference highlights the landscape that part-time and per-diem attorneys navigate in their careers, particularly those working three days a week or on short-term contracts in law firm offices, courtrooms, or corporate settings. Entry-level lawyers may earn approximately $40.78 per hour, while seasoned professionals can command as much as $108.97 hourly. The hourly rates provided are derived from projected salary estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflecting a range from the lower end to the upper echelon of the legal profession in Leawood.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.78 | $326.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.62 | $404.98 |
| Median (P50) | $70.31 | $562.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.99 | $719.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108.97 | $871.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Leawood
Based on $70.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.31/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Leawood, KS can expect to earn approximately $146,237 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,367. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Leawood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Leawood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,812.24 | $12,186 | $146,237 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,687.35 | $7,312 | $87,742 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,124.90 | $4,875 | $58,495 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Leawood) | $70.31 |
| 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 Leawood, KS earn a median of $146,229 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.53% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.80% below the Kansas state average of $152,005.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.31/hr = $87,742/year (purchasing power: $96,526).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,237/year (purchasing power: $160,876).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Leawood grew 29.9% from $51.71/hr (2019) to $67.15/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.61/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 Leawood 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 Leawood
Part-time attorneys working three days a week, clocking around 24 hours, may find their annual earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, which impacts their financial strategies, particularly when considering benefits. Per diem roles and contract assignments often present a mixed bag; while some may offer a lower hourly pay ranging from $25 to $50 for document review, higher rates exist for 1099 arrangements as well as expert witness work, potentially reaching $400 to $800 per hour. In Leawood, hourly rates can vary widely based on whether attorneys are employed by prominent firms, mid-sized practices, or government positions; big firms may follow Cravath-scale benchmarks, while smaller practices could offer more flexibility but at a lower pay scale. Understanding the trade-offs between hourly compensation and benefits, particularly for positions with health insurance, is crucial. This becomes an important consideration for legal professionals navigating the intricate balance between compensation and lifestyle in their respective legal journeys.
More salary data for Leawood, 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 Leawood. 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 Leawood 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