Lawyer Hourly Pay in Springfield, MO: $52.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Springfield, MO runs $52.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,668 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Springfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.6, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,202 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Springfield, Missouri, the lawyer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $52.25 in 2026, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $80.37. This difference highlights the financial landscape faced by legal professionals in the area. For those working part-time, say three days a week, the ability to earn a decent living depends on their hourly commitments and the nature of their work, whether in traditional law firm settings, courtrooms, or even in hybrid roles that permit remote work. The hourly range for lawyers in Springfield varies widely, with entry-level salaries starting at around $37.10 and top earners potentially pulling in $111.25 per hour. These figures are drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, providing a clear picture of the evolving compensation structure in local legal markets.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.10 | $296.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.60 | $340.82 |
| Median (P50) | $52.25 | $417.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.99 | $663.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.25 | $890.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Springfield
Based on $52.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.25/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Springfield, MO can expect to earn approximately $108,670 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,694. With a cost-of-living index of 88.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Springfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Springfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,089.81 | $9,056 | $108,670 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,253.89 | $5,434 | $65,202 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $835.92 | $3,622 | $43,468 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Springfield) | $52.25 |
| 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 Springfield, MO earn a median of $108,668 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.00% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.20% above the Missouri state average of $105,299.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.25/hr = $65,202/year (purchasing power: $73,604).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,670/year (purchasing power: $122,673).
CoL index: 88.585 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Springfield grew 28.4% from $38.85/hr (2019) to $49.90/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.70/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 Springfield 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 Springfield
Assessing the earning potential for a part-time lawyer in Springfield reveals some interesting realities. Working a schedule of 24 hours a week could yield a significantly lower annual income compared to full-time roles, yet opportunities for higher per-diem compensation exist through contract work. Per diem lawyer pay in Springfield often sits at the lower end of the profession, with many contract attorney or document review roles billing around $25-$50 per hour. In contrast, established attorneys offering 1099 of-counsel arrangements may charge between $200-$500 per hour, while consulting or expert witness work can command impressive rates of $400-$800 per hour. Notably, hourly rates can differ significantly based on employer type; BigLaw firms usually offer higher rates compared to regional firms, in-house departments, or public sector positions. This disparity presents a trade-off between the stability of government jobs, which often come with health benefits but lower rates, and the potentially lucrative rates that come with private practice. For those navigating the Springfield legal market, strategic negotiation around hourly rates while considering work-life balance will be essential for achieving both financial and personal wellness.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 Springfield. 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