Lawyer Hourly Pay in Delaware, OH: $54.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Delaware, OH runs $54.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,743 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Delaware's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $59.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,646 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Delaware, Ohio, the projected median hourly pay for lawyers in 2026 is $54.20, significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $80.37. This disparity reflects the local legal market, which offers varying opportunities for different types of legal work, including part-time and per-diem positions. For part-time lawyers working three days a week, the pay translates into an annual income that may not match that of full-time counterparts but still provides a reasonable income stream, especially given the relative cost of living in Delaware, which is below the national average. Entry-level lawyers earn around $31.44 per hour, while experienced practitioners can command rates up to $84.01 per hour, illustrating a broad spectrum of earnings across the profession.
About the Delaware Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.44 | $251.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.02 | $312.17 |
| Median (P50) | $54.20 | $433.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.38 | $555.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.01 | $672.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Delaware
Based on $54.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.20/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Delaware, OH can expect to earn approximately $112,743 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,044. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Delaware.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Delaware
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,168.13 | $9,395 | $112,743 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,300.88 | $5,637 | $67,646 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $867.25 | $3,758 | $45,097 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Delaware) | $54.20 |
| 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 Delaware, OH earn a median of $112,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.56% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $114,112.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.20/hr = $67,646/year (purchasing power: $74,582).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,743/year (purchasing power: $124,303).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Delaware grew 29.9% from $39.87/hr (2019) to $51.77/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.75/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 Delaware 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 Delaware
The earning potential for part-time attorneys highlights an interesting dynamic in Delaware's legal market. A lawyer working 24 hours per week could earn significantly less than a full-time attorney but may still achieve a satisfactory income. Per diem positions often see rates that range from approximately $25 to $50 per hour for contract work, while experienced attorneys entering 1099 of-counsel arrangements can bill rates between $200 and $500 an hour. Larger firms tend to offer higher hourly pay but are countered by the intensity of demands and hours, while in-house legal jobs might promote better work-life balance but can lag in compensation growth over time. Understanding the trade-offs between benefits and hourly wages is essential for attorneys considering various employer types in Delaware, where negotiating the terms based on firm structure or practice focus can be beneficial for maximizing overall compensation.
More salary data for Delaware, OH:
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 Delaware. 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 Delaware 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