Lawyer Hourly Pay in Bangor, ME: $58.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Bangor, ME runs $58.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,703 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Bangor's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.5, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,029 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bangor, Maine, the median lawyer hourly pay is projected to be $58.52 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $80.37 per hour. This wage reflects the realities faced by legal professionals working part-time, such as those with a three-day workweek, who can expect to earn around $1,401 per week based on a 24-hour schedule. For those engaged in per-diem work—often associated with various legal roles like public defenders or private practice associates—the hourly range can vary widely. Entry-level lawyers start around $36.14 per hour, while top earners in Bangor can command up to $101.68 per hour, offering ample opportunities depending on specialization and experience. These figures are drawn from reliable BLS data, ensuring they accurately reflect the local legal employment landscape.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.14 | $289.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.92 | $319.38 |
| Median (P50) | $58.52 | $468.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.87 | $550.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.68 | $813.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bangor
Based on $58.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.52/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bangor, ME can expect to earn approximately $121,715 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,220. With a cost-of-living index of 96.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bangor.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bangor
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,340.67 | $10,143 | $121,715 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,404.40 | $6,086 | $73,029 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $936.27 | $4,057 | $48,686 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Bangor) | $58.52 |
| 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 Bangor, ME earn a median of $121,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.20% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 26.90% below the Maine state average of $166,489.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.52/hr = $73,029/year (purchasing power: $75,671).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,715/year (purchasing power: $126,119).
CoL index: 96.508 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Bangor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Bangor grew 45.4% from $38.45/hr (2019) to $55.89/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.27/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 Bangor 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 Bangor
Analyzing the hourly pay structure reveals nuanced earning potential based on work arrangements. A part-time attorney in Bangor, working just three days a week, could realistically expect an annual income of approximately $73,200—a stark contrast to the full-time average earnings in the field. For those exploring per-diem roles, such as contract attorneys, the pay can range from $25 to $50 per hour, considerably lower than what established firms may offer, but providing flexibility. Locum or consulting arrangements can yield between $200 and $800 per billable hour. The variation in lawyer hourly rates across different employer types in Bangor is notable. Those in government positions or public interest may earn less compared to their counterparts in corporate legal departments or large law firms. Lawyers often face a trade-off between accepting lower Pay for benefits like health insurance and opting for higher hourly rates without job security. Negotiating rates successfully requires local legal market insights, particularly when considering the prevalence of firms offering various work-life balance opportunities and benefits structures.
More salary data for Bangor, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for lawyers in Bangor in 2026?
How much do part-time lawyers make in Bangor?
Are lawyers in Bangor paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time lawyer make per year in Bangor?
Do lawyers earn more per hour working part-time in Bangor?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maine
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 Bangor. 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