Lawyer Hourly Pay in North Kingstown, RI: $77.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in North Kingstown, RI runs $77.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $161,137 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against North Kingstown's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $77.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $96,679 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In North Kingstown, Rhode Island, the lawyer hourly pay stands at $77.47, which slightly trails the national median of $80.37. This difference in pay implies that legal professionals in North Kingstown might have to strategize if they opt for part-time roles, such as working three days a week, as their average weekly contribution could lead to varying annual earnings depending on hours worked. For instance, per-diem attorneys—often seen in private practices or corporate legal departments—can expect payment ranging significantly, depending on their expertise and negotiation skills, with entry-level roles earning around $44.94 per hour at the lower end and seasoned professionals reaching as high as $120.08. These estimates reveal that while hourly compensation in North Kingstown may not meet national standards, it offers a range that can accommodate both emerging lawyers and experienced practitioners in various legal environments.
About the North Kingstown Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($135,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.94 | $359.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.77 | $446.19 |
| Median (P50) | $77.47 | $619.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99.16 | $793.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120.08 | $960.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Kingstown
Based on $77.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $77.47/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Kingstown, RI can expect to earn approximately $161,132 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $92,961. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in North Kingstown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Kingstown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,098.70 | $13,428 | $161,132 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,859.22 | $8,057 | $96,679 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,239.48 | $5,371 | $64,453 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (North Kingstown) | $77.47 |
| 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 North Kingstown, RI earn a median of $161,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.61% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 4.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $168,027.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $77.47/hr = $96,679/year (purchasing power: $96,198).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $161,132/year (purchasing power: $160,331).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$73.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$77.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in North Kingstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $67.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $73.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in North Kingstown grew 29.9% from $56.98/hr (2019) to $73.99/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $81.11/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 North Kingstown 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 North Kingstown
The flexibility inherent in part-time work can provide an attractive alternative to full-time commitments for those seeking a better work-life balance. A lawyer in North Kingstown, working a 24-hour week, could realize an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Certain contract roles, such as per diem assignments or attorney document review positions, frequently bill around $25 to $50 per hour, representing a lower tier in the profession. Conversely, experienced attorneys in 1099 of-counsel arrangements can command between $200 and $500 per hour, while expert witnesses may earn even more, with rates upward of $800 per hour. Furthermore, hourly pay can vary notably depending on whether one is employed in a BigLaw firm, which typically offers higher compensation but expects grueling hours, versus smaller firms or government positions, which might have lower pay but provide benefits like health insurance. For legal professionals negotiating their pay in North Kingstown, it’s advisable to weigh the benefits of stable salary against the freedom of higher hourly rates without benefits, and to research market rates for their specialty to advocate effectively.
More salary data for North Kingstown, RI:
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 North Kingstown. 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 North Kingstown 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