Lawyer Salary in Gardner, KS: $140,919 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Gardner, KS earns a median $140,919/year (≈ $67.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $155,026 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the lawyer salary in Gardner, Kansas, is projected to reach a median of $140,919, reflecting the unique dynamics between BigLaw and smaller firms within the region. Salaries for legal professionals in the area range from $81,733 at the lower percentile to $218,424 at the upper echelon, revealing a notable disparity that is often influenced by firm size and specialization. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, suggest that while Gardner's figures trail the national median of $167,174 by about 15.71%, the market shows strong potential with a growth rate of 4.70% annually. This landscape suggests a legal community that is adapting to the needs of local clients but is also affected by national pay trends where large, metropolitan firms typically command higher compensation levels.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,733 | $39.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,462 | $48.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,919 | $67.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,376 | $86.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $218,424 | $105.01 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,691 (2026 est.). At $140,919, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Lawyer Pay Compares
Gardner median: $140,919/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $152,016 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -15.71% less |
Lawyers in Gardner, KS earn a median of $140,919 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $152,016.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $140,919 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $155,026 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,648
2025 BLS Actual
$134,593
2026 Current Est.
$140,919
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,648 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,995 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,889 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,421 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,868 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,467 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,593 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,919 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,542 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $103,648 (2019) to $134,593 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,542 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,894 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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) | $81,733 – $101,462 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,462 – $140,919 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,919 – $180,376 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,376 – $218,424 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Gardner
As of 2025, only six lawyers are actively employed in Gardner, creating a nuanced job market where opportunities can be both limited and competitive. The area's cost of living index sits at 90.9, indicating a below-average housing and general expense level, which can enhance the purchasing power of the salaries earned. In Gardner, mid-sized and smaller firms typically prevail, as there are only limited opportunities for large-scale BigLaw employment that would usually come with salaries on par with Cravath or other top-tier firms. Variations in pay can be attributed to several factors, including the choice between public versus private sector roles and the potential for flexible hours in smaller practices compared to the rigorous billable hour requirements often faced at larger firms. For aspiring lawyers, maximizing earning potential in Gardner may involve seeking employment with regional firms, fostering connections within the community, and focusing on niches in law that are underserved within the local market.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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
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 $134,593 for lawyersin the Gardner 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 Gardner 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