Lawyer Salary in Van Buren, AR: $90,091 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Van Buren, AR earns a median $90,091/year (≈ $43.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Van Buren's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $103,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, lawyer salaries in Van Buren, Arkansas, are projected to present a complex picture influenced by billable hour expectations at firms. The estimated median annual income for legal professionals stands at $90,091, which reflects the unique dynamics of this regional job market. Lawyers in Van Buren can expect to earn between $52,253 at the lower end of the spectrum to as high as $139,642 for those at the top tier. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, illustrate a significant disparity compared to the national median salary of $167,174. This disparity can largely be attributed to the smaller local job market and the specific challenges faced by attorneys in areas outside major metropolitan hubs.
About the Van Buren Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,253 | $25.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,866 | $31.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,091 | $43.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,317 | $55.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,642 | $67.13 |
Median Salary Position
46.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Van Buren
In Van Buren, AR, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,389 (2026 est.). At $90,091, the local median is 46.11% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Van Buren: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Van Buren Lawyer Pay Compares
Van Buren median: $90,091/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Van Buren Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $97,081 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -46.11% less |
Lawyers in Van Buren, AR earn a median of $90,091 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.11% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $97,081.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Van Buren has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Van Buren, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $90,091 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,672 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$66,264
2025 BLS Actual
$86,047
2026 Current Est.
$90,091
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Van Buren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,264 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,403 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,974 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,151 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,551 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,343 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,047 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,091 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,325 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Van Buren metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $66,264 (2019) to $86,047 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,325 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,061 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Van Buren 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,253 – $64,866 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,866 – $90,091 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,091 – $115,317 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,317 – $139,642 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Van Buren
As of now, the legal employment landscape in Van Buren includes five lawyers, indicating a fairly localized market where job availability may be limited. The cost-of-living index of 86.9 highlights a lower-than-average living expense, suggesting that take-home pay might stretch further in this area compared to more expensive regions. Most lawyer pay in Van Buren AR likely comes from mid-size firms or small private practices. Factors such as firm size, attorney experience, and the nature of clientele can greatly influence compensation, with higher remuneration often found in larger firms or those handling complex corporate matters. For legal professionals seeking to maximize their earnings, gaining experience in high-demand areas and focusing on building a specialty can be vital strategies in the competitive environment of this smaller market.
More salary data for Van Buren, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in Van Buren, AR in 2026?
Is Van Buren, AR a good place to work as a lawyer?
Can lawyers make $100K in Van Buren?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted lawyer salary in Van Buren?
How much does a lawyer make per hour in Van Buren?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $86,047 for lawyersin the Van Buren metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Van Buren 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