Lawyer Hourly Pay in Laurel, MS: $63.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Laurel, MS runs $63.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,501 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Laurel's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,497 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the lawyer hourly pay in Laurel, Mississippi, is projected to reach a median of $63.70, which is notably lower than the national median of $80.37. This hourly rate reflects the unique legal market in Laurel, where attorneys may work in various settings, including law firm partner offices, courtrooms, and in-house corporate legal departments. For those opting for part-time arrangements, such as a three-day workweek, this translates into a practical earning potential of approximately $1,216 for a typical 24-hour schedule. Entry-level lawyers can expect to earn around $36.95 per hour, while experienced practitioners at the higher end of the spectrum can achieve rates up to $98.74. It's essential to recognize that these projections are based on annual salary data, indicating a blend of opportunities within different modes of legal practice.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.95 | $295.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.87 | $366.95 |
| Median (P50) | $63.70 | $509.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.54 | $652.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98.74 | $789.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laurel
Based on $63.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.70/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laurel, MS can expect to earn approximately $132,495 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,439. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Laurel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laurel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,547.98 | $11,041 | $132,495 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,528.79 | $6,625 | $79,497 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,019.19 | $4,416 | $52,998 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Laurel) | $63.70 |
| 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 Laurel, MS earn a median of $132,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $143,244.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.70/hr = $79,497/year (purchasing power: $92,762).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,495/year (purchasing power: $154,603).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Laurel grew 29.9% from $46.85/hr (2019) to $60.84/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.69/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 Laurel 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 Laurel
When considering part-time work, a lawyer in Laurel opting for a 24-hour weekly schedule could expect to net around $31,923 annually, a considerable contrast to full-time earnings. The part-time model can be particularly appealing for lawyers who wish to balance work and personal commitments, yet the variability of per-diem or contract roles poses distinct financial realities. Per diem lawyer pay in Laurel typically ranges between $25 to $50 per hour for entry-level contract attorney jobs, while independent 1099 arrangements with experienced lawyers or expert witnesses may command fees of $200 to $800 per hour. The hourly rates can fluctuate widely across different employers in Laurel, with government positions often offering more stable, if lower, compensation compared to the dynamic rates in private practice or boutique firms. Understanding the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus more stable employment with health insurance can influence career choices significantly, especially for recent law graduates navigating this market. For those negotiating their hourly pay, knowing industry standards and the specific nuances of the local legal economy becomes critical.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
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 Laurel. 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 Laurel 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