Lawyer Hourly Pay in Hillsboro, OR: $79.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Hillsboro, OR runs $79.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $166,332 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Hillsboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $77.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,802 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hillsboro, Oregon, lawyer hourly pay is projected to be $79.97 in 2026, which brings it slightly below the national median hourly rate of $80.37. This figure indicates a robust earning potential for both full-time and part-time legal professionals. For those working on a part-time basis, such as three days a week, the hourly rate still offers a reasonable income when compared to other professions. The range of hourly earnings varies significantly, from approximately $46.38 at the lower end for entry-level positions to nearly $123.95 for seasoned practitioners at the pinnacle of their careers in the region. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, yet reflect the flexibility and diverse working environments found in law, such as law firm offices, courtrooms, and even remote or hybrid setups for contract drafting.
About the Hillsboro Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.38 | $371.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.57 | $460.60 |
| Median (P50) | $79.97 | $639.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102.35 | $818.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123.95 | $991.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hillsboro
Based on $79.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.97/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hillsboro, OR can expect to earn approximately $166,337 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,964. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hillsboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hillsboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,198.79 | $13,861 | $166,337 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,919.28 | $8,317 | $99,802 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,279.52 | $5,545 | $66,535 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Hillsboro) | $79.97 |
| 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 Hillsboro, OR earn a median of $166,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.50% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 26.10% above the Oregon state average of $131,905.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.97/hr = $99,802/year (purchasing power: $97,273).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $166,337/year (purchasing power: $162,122).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$58.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$76.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Hillsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $69.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $76.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Hillsboro grew 29.9% from $58.82/hr (2019) to $76.38/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $83.73/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 Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro
Evaluating the landscape of legal pay in Hillsboro reveals important insights for both full-time and part-time practitioners. A lawyer opting for a three-day workweek can expect to take home considerably less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, as they would effectively be billing 24 hours weekly rather than the full 40 or more. For those in the per-diem realm, often referred to as contract or locum attorneys, the rates can vary widely—from around $25 to $50 per hour for basic document review work to $200 to $500 per hour for established attorneys in 1099 arrangements. Specialty roles like expert witnesses can command even higher fees of $400 to $800 per hour. Hourly rates can differ based on the type of employer; big law firms in Hillsboro tend to follow the Cravath-scale model, offering substantial pay but demanding high billable hours, while in-house positions may yield less pay but offer a more balanced lifestyle. For those faced with deciding between lower hourly rates with benefits from larger firms and higher hourly rates without benefits from small or solo practices, the trade-offs can be substantial. Lawyers should actively consider negotiation strategies tailored to their specific situation, factoring in both hourly compensation and benefits when discussing contracts or potential job offers in this region.
More salary data for Hillsboro, OR:
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 Hillsboro. 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 Hillsboro 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