Lawyer Hourly Pay in Scranton, PA: $50.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Scranton, PA runs $50.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Scranton's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,085 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the projected median lawyer hourly pay in 2026 is $50.55, which lags significantly behind the national median hourly rate of $80.37. This discrepancy means that legal professionals in Scranton, particularly those in private practice or government roles, might find themselves with limited earning potential compared to their peers in larger metropolitan areas. For lawyers working on a part-time basis, such as three days a week, this translates to a manageable but modest weekly income, particularly for those juggling multiple commitments. The hourly pay range in Scranton varies dramatically; entry-level attorneys may earn as little as $25.39, while the top earners can command up to $104.55 per hour. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflect the unique blend of law firm environments, from bustling partner offices to remote contract drafting situations.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.39 | $203.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.90 | $215.18 |
| Median (P50) | $50.55 | $404.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.28 | $594.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.55 | $836.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Scranton
Based on $50.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.55/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Scranton, PA can expect to earn approximately $105,142 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,659. With a cost-of-living index of 93.56 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Scranton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Scranton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,021.97 | $8,762 | $105,142 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,213.18 | $5,257 | $63,085 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $808.79 | $3,505 | $42,057 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Scranton) | $50.55 |
| 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 Scranton, PA earn a median of $105,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.11% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 13.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $122,114.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.55/hr = $63,085/year (purchasing power: $67,431).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,142/year (purchasing power: $112,384).
CoL index: 93.556 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Scranton grew 32.5% from $36.45/hr (2019) to $48.28/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.92/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 Scranton 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 Scranton
Looking deeper into the dynamics of legal compensation in Scranton, a part-time lawyer working 24 hours per week might anticipate annual earnings that amount to approximately $62,000, which provides a comfortable lifestyle but falls short of full-time income for those dedicated to advancing in the field. Per diem lawyer pay in Scranton can range from $25 to $50 per hour for contract roles, while 1099 arrangements in established firms might yield between $200 and $500 per hour for specialized work. Notably, those engaged in expert witness or consulting roles can command $400 to $800 per hour, reflecting a stark contrast within the profession. In Scranton, hourly rates also vary based on employer types; BigLaw firms often offer salaries with higher billable expectations, while government roles tend to provide lower compensation but include benefits like student loan forgiveness. Negotiating effectively in this market means understanding one's worth relative to these diverse opportunities, balancing hourly rates against benefits, and finding positions that align with personal and professional goals.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
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 Scranton. 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