Lawyer Hourly Pay in Wichita, KS: $61.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Wichita, KS runs $61.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,221 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Wichita's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,335 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For lawyers in Wichita, KS, the median hourly pay is projected to be $61.17 in 2026, a figure significantly lower than the national median of $80.37. This hourly rate caters to diverse work arrangements, including part-time positions or per-diem roles often found in law firms or government settings, where lawyers might work three days a week. Those in entry-level positions can expect to earn around $38.45 per hour, while the top earners can command as much as $105.31 per hour. Official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms that this range reflects the dynamics of the local legal market, which showcases a growing demand for legal services despite competitive pressures from other regions.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.45 | $307.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.37 | $354.97 |
| Median (P50) | $61.17 | $489.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.08 | $608.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105.31 | $842.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wichita
Based on $61.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.17/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wichita, KS can expect to earn approximately $127,225 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,399. With a cost-of-living index of 88.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wichita.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wichita
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,446.63 | $10,602 | $127,225 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,467.98 | $6,361 | $76,335 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $978.65 | $4,241 | $50,890 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Wichita) | $61.17 |
| 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 Wichita, KS earn a median of $127,221 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.90% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 16.30% below the Kansas state average of $151,996.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.17/hr = $76,335/year (purchasing power: $85,822).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,225/year (purchasing power: $143,036).
CoL index: 88.946 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+75.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Wichita grew 59.6% from $36.60/hr (2019) to $58.42/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.04/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 Wichita 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 Wichita
The potential annual income for part-time lawyers working roughly 24 hours per week would ultimately be lower than their full-time counterparts, which may influence their career choices. Per-diem or contract positions often yield varied earnings; some contract attorneys might see rates as low as $25-$50 per hour for document review work, while experienced attorneys engaged in consulting or expert witness roles can charge $400-$800 per hour. Employers in Wichita encompass a mix of big law, mid-size firms, and public sector opportunities, creating a spectrum of pay that can shift based on organizational size and sector. Lawyers considering their options often weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and more stable higher-tier jobs that provide health coverage and retirement plans. For those negotiating their wages, it’s advisable to align expectations with local market rates and clearly define work conditions that fit individual financial goals.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 Wichita. 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