Lawyer Hourly Pay in Radford, VA: $54.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Radford, VA runs $54.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,455 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Radford's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $52.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,077 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Radford, Virginia, the projected median hourly pay for lawyers in 2026 stands at $54.55, significantly lower than the national median of $80.37. This disparity influences various employment scenarios, particularly for part-time and per-diem lawyers. For those working three days a week, 24 hours total, the income can be appealing yet modest, particularly in diverse settings such as law firms, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments. Hourly earnings in Radford range from $31.64 at the lower tenth percentile to $84.55 for the top earners, indicating a broad spectrum depending on experience and specialization. These rates are derived from annual salary estimates and highlight the need for aspirants to understand the local market conditions when seeking opportunities in this field.
About the Radford Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($158,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.64 | $253.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.27 | $314.18 |
| Median (P50) | $54.55 | $436.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.81 | $558.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.55 | $676.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Radford
Based on $54.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.55/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Radford, VA can expect to earn approximately $113,461 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,458. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Radford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Radford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,181.95 | $9,455 | $113,461 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,309.17 | $5,673 | $68,077 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $872.78 | $3,782 | $45,385 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Radford) | $54.55 |
| 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 Radford, VA earn a median of $113,455 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.13% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 14.70% below the Virginia state average of $133,007.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.55/hr = $68,077/year (purchasing power: $65,966).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,461/year (purchasing power: $109,943).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Radford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Radford grew 29.9% from $40.12/hr (2019) to $52.10/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.11/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 Radford 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 Radford
Considering the implications of part-time work, an attorney working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $64,469 annually, whereas a full-time lawyer typically earns a substantially higher income. The realities of per-diem work in Radford reflect a diverse billing spectrum, with contract attorneys usually billing between $25 to $50 per hour, significantly lower than established attorneys who may charge as much as $200 to $500 per hour. The hourly rates one can command often vary widely depending on the type of employer; for instance, BigLaw firms and prominent corporate legal departments tend to offer higher rates compared to non-profit organizations and local government roles. The trade-offs become evident when considering benefits versus raw hourly pay. Many lawyers often negotiate their compensation packages to secure health insurance and other benefits, albeit at a lower hourly rate. For those entering the legal profession in Radford, understanding these nuances and learning how to effectively negotiate are essential strategies for maximizing their career potential in an industry that can vary significantly between sectors.
More salary data for Radford, VA:
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 Radford. 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 Radford 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