Lawyer Hourly Pay in Monroe, LA: $47.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Monroe, LA runs $47.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,172 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Monroe's regional price level (BEA RPP 83.6, 16% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,505 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Monroe, Louisiana, the median lawyer hourly pay is projected to be $47.68 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $80.37 per hour. This wage reflects the economic dynamics specific to the region and influences various employment structures. For those working part-time, such as a lawyer with a schedule of three days a week, this can translate into a manageable income, especially in relaxed environments like law firm partner offices or client conference settings. The hourly rate range runs from $25.34 for entry-level positions to $107.95 for the top earners, which offers flexibility for per-diem arrangements. These settings may include remote contract work or temporary positions that pay varies based on expertise and task demands, reflecting the official Bureau of Labor Statistics hourly data for lawyers in Monroe.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.34 | $202.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.44 | $275.49 |
| Median (P50) | $47.68 | $381.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.31 | $562.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.95 | $863.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Monroe
Based on $47.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.68/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Monroe, LA can expect to earn approximately $99,175 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,216. With a cost-of-living index of 83.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Monroe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Monroe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,907.22 | $8,265 | $99,175 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,144.33 | $4,959 | $59,505 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $762.89 | $3,306 | $39,670 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Monroe) | $47.68 |
| 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 Monroe, LA earn a median of $99,172 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.68% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.60% below the Louisiana state average of $105,055.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.68/hr = $59,505/year (purchasing power: $71,181).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,175/year (purchasing power: $118,635).
CoL index: 83.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+70.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Monroe grew 55.3% from $29.33/hr (2019) to $45.54/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.92/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 Monroe 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 Monroe
Evaluating part-time and per-diem work further illustrates the financial landscape for legal professionals in Monroe. A lawyer working a 24-hour week could anticipate a net income that varies dramatically based on their specific role and employer type. For instance, contract attorneys often command rates between $25 and $50 per hour, while established attorneys operating 1099 of-counsel arrangements might charge $200 to $500 per hour. Those involved in expert witness testimony could see fees ranging from $400 to $800 per hour, underscoring the disparity in pay across different legal sectors. Additionally, larger firms may have more competitive hourly rates but come with demanding workloads, compared to the benefits of full-time employment such as health insurance, which can tempt some lawyers to opt for lower pay. Understanding these variances is essential for legal professionals in Monroe seeking to maximize their compensation and negotiate effectively within this market.
More salary data for Monroe, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for lawyers in Monroe in 2026?
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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 Monroe. 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