Lawyer Hourly Pay in Lee's Summit, MO: $50.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Lee's Summit, MO runs $50.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,382 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Lee's Summit's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,628 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lee's Summit, MO, the lawyer hourly pay speaks volumes about the local legal market dynamics. The median hourly rate for attorneys in the area is projected to be $50.18 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $80.37. This significant discrepancy might become a consideration for those working part-time or in per-diem positions, as it reflects the economic realities of practice locations such as law offices, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments. With an hourly range starting at $29.11 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $77.78 for top earners, attorneys in Lee's Summit have varying compensation based on experience and area of specialty. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections, making it crucial for legal professionals to strategize their working hours based on these figures.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.11 | $232.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.13 | $289.06 |
| Median (P50) | $50.18 | $401.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.23 | $513.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.78 | $622.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lee's Summit
Based on $50.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.18/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lee's Summit, MO can expect to earn approximately $104,380 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,219. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lee's Summit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lee's Summit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,007.31 | $8,698 | $104,380 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,204.39 | $5,219 | $62,628 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $802.92 | $3,479 | $41,752 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Lee's Summit) | $50.18 |
| 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 Lee's Summit, MO earn a median of $104,382 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.56% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $105,330.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.18/hr = $62,628/year (purchasing power: $69,897).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,380/year (purchasing power: $116,496).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Lee's Summit grew 29.9% from $36.91/hr (2019) to $47.93/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.54/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 Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit
Taking on a part-time schedule of three days a week (24 hours total) can yield an annual income that showcases the appeal of flexibility in this profession. While utilizing per-diem avenues can lower the typical contract attorney pay to between $25-$50 per hour, opportunities exist for experienced lawyers commanding rates of $200-$500 per hour as of-counsel or in specialized consulting roles. When assessing different employer types in Lee's Summit, the compensation varies widely; larger firms might pay higher rates than regional, boutique practices or government positions, which often lack benefits but offer stability. Lawyers frequently face a trade-off between higher hourly wages and essential benefits like health insurance. As a strategic move in negotiations, understanding the local market value for specific legal roles can empower practitioners entering contract discussions—highlighting the necessity to research and leverage their skills effectively for optimal compensation.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, 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 Lee's Summit. 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 Lee's Summit 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