Lawyer Hourly Pay in Plymouth, MA: $62.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Plymouth, MA runs $62.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,655 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Plymouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,798 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plymouth, Massachusetts, the lawyer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $62.34 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $80.37 per hour. This difference sheds light on the economic realities that practitioners face in the area, especially those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a lawyer who works three days a week might find themselves earning a reasonable but limited income, contingent upon this hourly rate. The hourly compensation ranges from $36.15 at the lower end (P10) to $96.62 for those at the top of their game (P90), illustrating a broad range that allows for varying specialties and levels of experience. These figures, derived from annual salary projections, reflect the diverse environments in which lawyers operate — from busy law firm offices to courtrooms and remote contract work.
About the Plymouth 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) | $36.15 | $289.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.88 | $359.08 |
| Median (P50) | $62.34 | $498.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.79 | $638.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.62 | $772.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plymouth
Based on $62.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.34/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plymouth, MA can expect to earn approximately $129,664 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,806. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Plymouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plymouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,493.54 | $10,805 | $129,664 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,496.12 | $6,483 | $77,798 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $997.41 | $4,322 | $51,866 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Plymouth) | $62.34 |
| 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 Plymouth, MA earn a median of $129,655 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.44% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $128,754.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.34/hr = $77,798/year (purchasing power: $71,704).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,664/year (purchasing power: $119,506).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Plymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $95.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Plymouth grew 29.9% from $45.85/hr (2019) to $59.54/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.27/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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth
Examining the earning landscape for part-time lawyers reveals that someone working a 24-hour week could potentially earn a significantly lower total than their full-time counterparts, impacting their annual take-home pay. Contract or per-diem lawyers in Plymouth might bill anywhere from $25 to $50 per hour for review work, while more experienced attorneys engaged in 1099 arrangements can command rates between $200 and $500 per hour. In contrast, specialized positions such as expert witnesses can fetch rates of $400 to $800 per hour. The type of legal employer plays a crucial role in determining hourly rates — lawyers at established firms may see a different scale compared to those in government roles or legal aid organizations, where compensation is often lower but with benefits that attract some professionals. When negotiating rates, practitioners should consider the trade-off between higher pay without benefits and lower pay with health insurance coverage, especially in a city like Plymouth, where living costs slightly exceed the national average.
More salary data for Plymouth, 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 Plymouth. 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 Plymouth 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