Lawyer Hourly Pay in Rochester, NH: $83.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Rochester, NH runs $83.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $172,668 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $77.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,605 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rochester, New Hampshire, the median hourly pay for lawyers is projected to be $83.02 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $80.37. This competitive rate offers ample earning potential for both full-time and part-time legal professionals. For instance, a part-time attorney working three days a week could feasibly earn around $64,500 annually, while hourly rates can vary widely across the board—from $48.15 for entry-level positions to $128.67 for the highest earners. These figures underscore the diverse earning paths available to lawyers in various work settings, such as law firm partnerships, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments. Given that these hourly pay estimates are derived from annual salary data, they provide a concrete basis for assessing potential earnings in the legal field in Rochester.
About the Rochester Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.15 | $385.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.77 | $478.19 |
| Median (P50) | $83.02 | $664.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106.26 | $850.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128.67 | $1029.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $83.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.02/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NH can expect to earn approximately $172,675 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,620. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,320.67 | $14,390 | $172,675 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,992.40 | $8,634 | $103,605 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,328.27 | $5,756 | $69,070 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Rochester) | $83.02 |
| 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 Rochester, NH earn a median of $172,668 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $167,174 and 3.70% below the New Hampshire state average of $179,302.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.02/hr = $103,605/year (purchasing power: $96,556).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $172,675/year (purchasing power: $160,927).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $63.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $67.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Rochester grew 29.9% from $61.06/hr (2019) to $79.29/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.92/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
The potential earnings in Rochester can differ significantly based on the type of legal work performed and the employment setting. For part-time lawyers, an annual take-home ranging from $51,000 to $64,500 is realistic if they work about 24 hours a week. In contrast, per-diem and contract positions often offer lower rates, typically around $25-$50 per hour for general work like document review. However, more specialized roles, such as expert witness consulting, can command upwards of $400 per hour. The differences are especially pronounced across employer types; lawyers at large firms often see higher hourly rates due to the demand for their expertise, while government positions may provide lower pay but increased job security and benefits. Negotiating hourly rates can be challenging in this context, but understanding the local market and leveraging knowledge of firm standards can significantly enhance one’s bargaining position when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Rochester, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Rochester. 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 Rochester 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