Lawyer Hourly Pay in Franklin, MA: $59.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Franklin, MA runs $59.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $122,779 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Franklin's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,669 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Franklin, Massachusetts, the projected median hourly pay for lawyers is $59.03, a significant contrast to the national median hourly rate of $80.37. This lower rate reflects both the local market and the mix of employment opportunities available. Lawyers working part-time, typically three days per week, may earn around $47,224 a year by billing approximately 24 hours weekly. The hourly range in Franklin spans from $34.24 for entry-level positions to $91.50 for highly experienced practitioners, indicating a lucrative potential for top earners, particularly in various legal environments such as law firm partner offices, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, emphasizing the breadth of compensation available based on experience and expertise.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($182,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.24 | $273.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.50 | $339.98 |
| Median (P50) | $59.03 | $472.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.55 | $604.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.50 | $731.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Franklin
Based on $59.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.03/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Franklin, MA can expect to earn approximately $122,782 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,836. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Franklin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Franklin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,361.19 | $10,232 | $122,782 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,416.72 | $6,139 | $73,669 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $944.48 | $4,093 | $49,113 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Franklin) | $59.03 |
| 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 Franklin, MA earn a median of $122,779 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.56% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 4.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $128,834.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.03/hr = $73,669/year (purchasing power: $67,898).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $122,782/year (purchasing power: $113,163).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $90.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Franklin grew 29.9% from $43.42/hr (2019) to $56.38/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.80/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 Franklin 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 Franklin
Analyzing the earning potential for part-time lawyers in Franklin reveals that those working 24 hours a week would take home considerably less than their full-time counterparts, substantially narrowing the earnings gap. While contract attorney roles, such as per diem positions, may start as low as $25 to $50 per hour for basic document review, specialized expertise allows seasoned attorneys to charge $200 to $500 per hour in 1099 arrangements. Conversely, high-demand roles such as expert witnesses can command between $400 and $800 per hour. Compensation varies considerably across employer types: top-tier firms may provide higher rates but demand extensive hours, while government positions offer stability with lower pay. This trade-off influences many lawyers' decisions regarding work hours and benefits. Negotiating hourly rates also requires an awareness of industry standards; understanding the local market in Franklin can empower lawyers to secure favorable terms in their contracts while balancing benefits such as health insurance when considering full-time versus part-time work.
More salary data for Franklin, MA:
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 Franklin. 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 Franklin 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