Lawyer Hourly Pay in Jefferson City, MO: $46.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Jefferson City, MO runs $46.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,706 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Jefferson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,630 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median hourly pay for lawyers in Jefferson City, Missouri is $46.98, significantly lower than the national median of $80.37. This disparity means that lawyers working part-time—such as those putting in three days a week—can expect lower earnings, particularly in demanding environments like law firm offices, courtrooms, and client meetings. For per-diem workers, hourly rates can vary widely based on experience and negotiation skills. Entry-level positions might start around $35.23, while seasoned professionals, especially in niche or high-demand areas, can earn as much as $86.98 per hour, according to official projections based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.23 | $281.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.03 | $328.26 |
| Median (P50) | $46.98 | $375.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.03 | $512.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.98 | $695.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jefferson City
Based on $46.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.98/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jefferson City, MO can expect to earn approximately $97,716 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,375. With a cost-of-living index of 87.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jefferson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jefferson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,879.16 | $8,143 | $97,716 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,127.49 | $4,886 | $58,630 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $751.66 | $3,257 | $39,086 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Jefferson City) | $46.98 |
| 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 Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $97,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.55% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 7.20% below the Missouri state average of $105,287.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.98/hr = $58,630/year (purchasing power: $66,644).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,716/year (purchasing power: $111,073).
CoL index: 87.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+63.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Jefferson City grew 49.1% from $30.09/hr (2019) to $44.87/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.19/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 Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City
When examining the financial landscape for legal professionals in Jefferson City, part-time lawyers working 24 hours a week would earn approximately $55,000 annually, a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts. Additionally, the per diem and agency lawyers often work at rates from $25 to $50 per hour, primarily for document review, while experienced consultants can command between $200 and $500 per hour. BigLaw firms often have compensation structures that reflect their larger resources, with hourly pay that can more closely align with national trends. In contrast, public sector positions, including those with the Department of Justice or as public defenders, generally offer lower hourly pay, yet provide added benefits, such as health insurance and student loan forgiveness options. Those considering hourly work in Jefferson City should also bear in mind the importance of negotiation, particularly when entering discussions about compensation in varied legal environments. Adjusting expectations based on the employer type—whether a boutique firm or a large government office—can lead to a more favorable arrangement for both lifestyle and income.
More salary data for Jefferson City, MO:
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 Jefferson City. 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