Lawyer Hourly Pay in Minneapolis, MN: $80.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Minneapolis, MN runs $80.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $167,122 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Minneapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.8, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $76.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,273 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the projected median lawyer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $80.35, which is slightly below the national median of $80.37. This competitive rate is especially relevant for part-time and per-diem workers, as many professionals in the legal field may choose to work in a variety of settings, from bustling law firm offices to quiet home environments for contract work. The hourly range in the city varies significantly, with entry-level lawyers earning around $43.20 per hour, while the top-tier earners in the profession can make as much as $177.29 per hour. As based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures highlight the earning potential for legal professionals in diverse roles across the Minneapolis area.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.20 | $345.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.82 | $470.56 |
| Median (P50) | $80.35 | $642.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110.59 | $884.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177.29 | $1418.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Minneapolis
Based on $80.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.35/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Minneapolis, MN can expect to earn approximately $167,121 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $96,416. With a cost-of-living index of 104.82 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Minneapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Minneapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,213.87 | $13,927 | $167,121 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,928.32 | $8,356 | $100,273 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,285.55 | $5,571 | $66,849 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Minneapolis) | $80.35 |
| 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 Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $167,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.03% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 23.50% above the Minnesota state average of $135,322.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.35/hr = $100,273/year (purchasing power: $95,660).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $167,121/year (purchasing power: $159,433).
CoL index: 104.822 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Minneapolis (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 | $59.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $71.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Minneapolis grew 37.7% from $55.71/hr (2019) to $76.74/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.12/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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
For lawyers opting for part-time work in Minneapolis, committing to a 3-day workweek—typically totaling around 24 hours—can yield a significant difference in earnings compared to full-time lawyers. The annual take-home for part-time lawyers could hover around $101,640, which while attractive, is considerably less than full-time figures. Per diem arrangements can also vary widely, with contract attorney positions generally billing between $25 to $50 per hour for mundane document review tasks, while more specialized work, like expert witness consultations, can command rates as high as $800 per hour. Hourly rates differ dramatically across employer types; top BigLaw firms provide the highest rates, while in-house positions and government roles often offer lower compensation in exchange for benefits and job stability. Negotiating tips for hourly workers in Minneapolis highlight the importance of not only considering the rate but also the accompanying benefits package, which can significantly affect the overall financial landscape for legal practitioners.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
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 Minneapolis. 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