Lawyer Hourly Pay in Topeka, KS: $51.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Topeka, KS runs $51.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,318 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Topeka's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,392 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Topeka, Kansas, the lawyer hourly pay stands at a median rate of $51.60, significantly lower than the national median of $80.37 per hour. This disparity can influence career decisions for both full-time employees and part-time or per-diem workers. Part-time lawyers, working approximately three days a week, can expect to earn a figure that reflects this hourly rate, potentially impacting their lifestyle choices. For those in contract positions—often found in law firm partner offices or with government legal departments—hourly compensation can vary, spanning from $38.50 to $82.64 depending on experience and the nature of the work. This official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) highlights the range of opportunities available to lawyers in Topeka, where salaries align with local market conditions and the varying demands of legal practice.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.50 | $307.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.40 | $347.19 |
| Median (P50) | $51.60 | $412.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.00 | $519.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.64 | $661.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Topeka
Based on $51.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.60/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Topeka, KS can expect to earn approximately $107,320 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,915. With a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Topeka.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Topeka
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,063.85 | $8,943 | $107,320 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,238.31 | $5,366 | $64,392 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $825.54 | $3,577 | $42,928 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Topeka) | $51.60 |
| 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 Topeka, KS earn a median of $107,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.80% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 29.40% below the Kansas state average of $152,008.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.60/hr = $64,392/year (purchasing power: $72,497).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,320/year (purchasing power: $120,829).
CoL index: 88.82 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Topeka grew 26.3% from $39.01/hr (2019) to $49.28/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.02/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 Topeka 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 Topeka
For a lawyer working part-time at 24 hours per week, their annual income can vary quite significantly from that of full-time counterparts. Working three days a week, a lawyer in Topeka may take home a considerably reduced income compared to someone fully employed, yet they maintain flexibility in their workload. Per diem lawyer pay in Topeka often sits at lower ranges—billed between $25 and $50 per hour—while more experienced contract attorneys can command between $200 and $500 per hour in specialized roles, such as consulting or expert witness positions. Different employer types affect hourly practices: BigLaw offers higher rates but often accompanies them with grueling hours, while mid-tier firms may offer a more balanced work-life situation at a slightly lower rate. For some lawyers, the trade-off between higher hourly wages and job benefits, like health insurance, is a pivotal consideration in their career choices. Aspiring lawyers in Topeka should approach negotiations with a clear understanding of these dynamics to set realistic expectations based on their chosen career path.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for lawyers in Topeka in 2026?
How much do part-time lawyers make in Topeka?
Are lawyers in Topeka paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time lawyer make per year in Topeka?
Do lawyers earn more per hour working part-time in Topeka?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 Topeka. 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