Lawyer Hourly Pay in Burlington, VT: $63.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Burlington, VT runs $63.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,074 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $62.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,648 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the median hourly pay for lawyers is projected to be $63.02 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $80.37 per hour, reflecting the regional economic landscape and cost of living factors. For legal professionals working part-time, such as those taking on a 3-day workweek, this hourly rate provides a strong foundation for income while allowing flexibility. A range of hourly rates exists, with entry-level positions earning around $43.58 per hour, while top earners can reach as high as $121.27 per hour. These numbers indicate that Burlington's legal market, although smaller than larger metropolitan areas, still offers significant earning potential depending on experience and specialty, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates derived from 2025 data and projected into 2026.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.58 | $348.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.56 | $412.52 |
| Median (P50) | $63.02 | $504.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.28 | $722.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121.27 | $970.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $63.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.02/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $131,079 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,623. With a cost-of-living index of 100.95 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,520.76 | $10,923 | $131,079 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,512.45 | $6,554 | $78,648 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,008.30 | $4,369 | $52,432 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Burlington) | $63.02 |
| 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 Burlington, VT earn a median of $131,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.59% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 24.20% below the Vermont state average of $172,921.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.02/hr = $78,648/year (purchasing power: $77,908).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,079/year (purchasing power: $129,847).
CoL index: 100.949 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Burlington grew 40.2% from $42.94/hr (2019) to $60.19/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.98/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
For those considering part-time work in the legal field, a lawyer working three days a week—totaling around 24 hours—could earn approximately $78,674 annually, a respectable figure compared to full-time counterparts. In the context of per diem opportunities, it’s common for contract lawyers and those engaged in document review to bill anywhere from $25 to $50 per hour, while those in 1099 arrangements may charge $200 to $500 per hour depending on their expertise. In Burlington, hourly rates vary significantly based on the type of employer. Top-tier firms offer higher pay but may come with greater demands, whereas in-house positions and public service roles typically start lower. Lawyers must weigh the trade-offs of higher hourly rates against benefits like health insurance provided in employment positions. For effective negotiation, having a solid understanding of prevailing rates for specific legal specialties and market conditions in Burlington can provide leverage in discussions with potential employers, enabling lawyers to advocate effectively for their worth.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
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 Burlington. 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