Lawyer Hourly Pay in Salina, KS: $70.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Salina, KS runs $70.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $147,043 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Salina's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $77.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $88,225 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salina, Kansas, the projected median hourly pay for lawyers is $70.69, which falls below the national median of $80.37. This reduced hourly rate has implications for various work arrangements, particularly for those in part-time positions or per-diem roles. For instance, a lawyer working three days a week could expect to earn around $55,000 annually based on this hourly rate, which illustrates the trade-off between reduced working hours and income. The hourly rates for lawyers in Salina range from $41.00 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to approximately $109.58 for the top earners (90th percentile). This data, derived from annual salary estimates for 2026, reflects the local market dynamics specific to the legal profession, indicating a competitive environment in which both established practitioners and new entrants navigate client needs in settings like law firms, courthouses, and corporate offices.
About the Salina 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) | $41.00 | $328.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.89 | $407.16 |
| Median (P50) | $70.69 | $565.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.49 | $723.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.58 | $876.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salina
Based on $70.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.69/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salina, KS can expect to earn approximately $147,042 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,832. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,827.74 | $12,254 | $147,042 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,696.64 | $7,352 | $88,225 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,131.10 | $4,901 | $58,817 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Salina) | $70.69 |
| 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 Salina, KS earn a median of $147,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $151,904.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.69/hr = $88,225/year (purchasing power: $97,058).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $147,042/year (purchasing power: $161,763).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Salina grew 29.9% from $52.00/hr (2019) to $67.52/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.02/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 Salina 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 Salina
Evaluating the earning potential of a part-time lawyer in Salina reveals significant disparities when compared to full-time professionals. A lawyer working 24 hours a week can take home $55,000, contrasting sharply with a full-time counterpart who could earn more than $147,043 annually if working standard hours. Contract work, often associated with per-diem arrangements, typically offers lower hourly pay, ranging from $25 to $50 for document reviews, while 1099 arrangements with established attorneys can command rates between $200 and $500 per hour. The variety of earning possibilities reflects the employer type, with large firms potentially paying up to $109.58 for specialized attorneys, while public sector roles may offer less compensation but come with benefits like student loan forgiveness. In negotiating hourly rates, Salina lawyers should consider their long-term goals; those prioritizing health insurance may opt for positions with slightly lower hourly pay, while others may chase higher rates without benefits. Effective negotiation can create a pathway to optimize their compensation within this evolving market.
More salary data for Salina, 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 Salina. 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 Salina 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