Lawyer Hourly Pay in Atlantic City, NJ: $67.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Atlantic City, NJ runs $67.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $140,015 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Atlantic City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.9, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,005 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlantic City, New Jersey, the median hourly pay for lawyers is projected to be $67.31 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of $80.37 per hour. For legal professionals working part-time, typically around three days a week, this hourly rate can provide steady income while balancing personal commitments. For those seeking per-diem work, the broad hourly pay range in Atlantic City varies from $38.72 for entry-level positions to $111.48 for the most experienced lawyers. Such varied environments—whether in law firm partner offices, courtrooms, corporate legal departments, or remote drafting services—allow for flexible work arrangements, appealing to both part-time and contract professionals.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.72 | $309.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.39 | $379.10 |
| Median (P50) | $67.31 | $538.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.72 | $669.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.48 | $891.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlantic City
Based on $67.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.31/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlantic City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $140,008 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,774. With a cost-of-living index of 98.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Atlantic City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlantic City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,692.47 | $11,667 | $140,008 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,615.48 | $7,000 | $84,005 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,076.99 | $4,667 | $56,003 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Atlantic City) | $67.31 |
| 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 Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $140,015 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 27.30% below the New Jersey state average of $192,593.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.31/hr = $84,005/year (purchasing power: $84,976).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $140,008/year (purchasing power: $141,627).
CoL index: 98.857 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $68.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Atlantic City grew 38.7% from $46.34/hr (2019) to $64.29/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.48/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 Atlantic 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 Atlantic City
Examining part-time and per-diem opportunities in Atlantic City reveals a nuanced picture of earnings. A lawyer working three days a week (24 hours) can expect to take home approximately $83,137 annually, a significant income yet markedly less than full-time counterparts. Contract attorneys often earn between $25 to $50 per hour for document review, while established attorneys bill between $200 and $500 per hour, particularly in 1099 arrangements. As for expertise-based roles such as expert witnesses, billing rates can soar to $400 to $800 per hour. Furthermore, hourly rates can differ greatly based on the employer type; BigLaw firms may pay higher than mid-size or boutique firms, while in-house positions and government roles typically offer lower rates but often come with benefits like health insurance. Lawyers in Atlantic City should weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and more stable positions with comprehensive perks. When negotiating, understanding the local market and leveraging unique qualifications are crucial to achieving favorable terms.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
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 Atlantic 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