Lawyer Hourly Pay in Biddeford, ME: $75.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Biddeford, ME runs $75.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $157,536 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Biddeford's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $76.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $94,523 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, lawyer hourly pay in Biddeford, ME, is projected to reach a median rate of $75.74, which sits slightly below the national median of $80.37. This establishes a relatively stable base for both full-time and part-time legal professionals in the area, offering an attractive compensation for those working in traditional settings like law firms, courtrooms, and corporate offices, as well as for those considering flexible arrangements such as per-diem work. For lawyers who opt for part-time engagements, such as those working three days a week, the appeal of an hourly rate allows them to balance professional demands with personal life while still enjoying competitive pay. Hourly estimates reflect a range from $43.93 to $117.39, capturing the spectrum from entry-level roles to seasoned practitioners who handle complex legal matters.
About the Biddeford Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.93 | $351.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.53 | $436.22 |
| Median (P50) | $75.74 | $605.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.94 | $775.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117.39 | $939.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Biddeford
Based on $75.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.74/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Biddeford, ME can expect to earn approximately $157,539 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $90,888. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Biddeford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Biddeford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,029.60 | $13,128 | $157,539 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,817.76 | $7,877 | $94,523 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,211.84 | $5,251 | $63,016 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Biddeford) | $75.74 |
| 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 Biddeford, ME earn a median of $157,536 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.77% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 5.40% below the Maine state average of $166,528.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.74/hr = $94,523/year (purchasing power: $94,903).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $157,539/year (purchasing power: $158,172).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$72.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Biddeford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $72.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Biddeford grew 29.9% from $55.71/hr (2019) to $72.34/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.30/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 Biddeford 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 Biddeford
Assessing part-time earnings under the Biddeford hourly rate, a lawyer working 24 hours a week could potentially take home approximately $94,200 annually, which is a significant income while still allowing for a balanced lifestyle. In contrast, many contract attorneys in the area, particularly those doing per diem or document review work, may find themselves billing between $25 and $50 per hour, which is on the lower end of the spectrum. More experienced attorneys might command hourly rates ranging from $200 to $500 for 1099 or of-counsel roles, with certain expert witnesses or consulting attorneys reaching rates as high as $800 per hour. The variance in pay can be attributed to differences across employer types in Biddeford—where large national firms typically offer more, but potentially at the cost of increased workload, while government and public interest roles tend to offer lower hourly rates but provide benefits like job security and student loan forgiveness. For lawyers entering the market, negotiating your hourly rate should take into account not just compensation but potential benefits, as accepting lower rates with health coverage might make more sense for those prioritizing stability.
More salary data for Biddeford, ME:
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 Biddeford. 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 Biddeford 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