Lawyer Hourly Pay in Tualatin, OR: $60.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Tualatin, OR runs $60.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,691 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Tualatin's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,021 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Tualatin, Oregon, the projected median hourly pay for lawyers in 2026 is $60.91, a figure that falls short of the national median hourly rate of $80.37. This pay rate offers insight into the financial landscape for those entering the legal profession in the region, catering particularly to both part-time and per-diem legal work. For instance, a lawyer working part-time, say three days per week, earns significantly less over the course of a year compared to a full-time counterpart, while freelance or per-diem lawyers typically charge varying fees based on their experience and the specific needs of the case. The hourly range for lawyers in Tualatin stretches from $35.33 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $94.41 for top earners (90th percentile), with performance and specialization influencing these rates.
About the Tualatin 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) | $35.33 | $282.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.86 | $350.87 |
| Median (P50) | $60.91 | $487.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.96 | $623.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.41 | $755.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tualatin
Based on $60.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.91/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tualatin, OR can expect to earn approximately $126,702 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,097. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tualatin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tualatin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,436.58 | $10,559 | $126,702 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,461.95 | $6,335 | $76,021 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $974.63 | $4,223 | $50,681 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Tualatin) | $60.91 |
| 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 Tualatin, OR earn a median of $126,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.22% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $131,833.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.91/hr = $76,021/year (purchasing power: $74,095).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,702/year (purchasing power: $123,491).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$44.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Tualatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Tualatin grew 29.9% from $44.80/hr (2019) to $58.18/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.78/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 Tualatin 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 Tualatin
A lawyer working 24 hours a week in Tualatin, making $60.91 per hour, would take home approximately $75,000 annually, a substantial figure, yet not competitive with the more lucrative opportunities present in larger firms or specialized practices elsewhere. By comparison, contract attorneys who engage in document review or per diem work often earn between $25 and $50 an hour, while seasoned attorneys in consulting roles or with established practices charge hefty rates from $200 to $500 per hour. The diversity of hourly rates reinforces the importance of understanding the different employer types in Tualatin—varying drastically between BigLaw firms, mid-size practices, and public sector positions. Many lawyers may opt for lower pays within government positions to secure benefits like health insurance, while those preferring higher pay may face uncertainty without those same benefits. Negotiating hourly rates effectively in Tualatin involves being well-prepared, highlighting specialized skills, and understanding fundamental market demands while keeping in mind the trade-offs inherent in hourly work structures.
More salary data for Tualatin, 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 Tualatin. 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 Tualatin 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