Lawyer Salary in Leawood, KS: $146,229 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Leawood, KS earns a median $146,229/year (≈ $70.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Leawood's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $160,868 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average lawyer salary in Leawood, Kansas, reaches a median of $146,229. This figure slightly trails behind the national median of $167,174, marking a 12.53% difference. The salary range for legal professionals in the area varies significantly, with the lowest reported earnings at $84,813 and the highest at $226,656. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, reflect the prevailing divides in the legal market, particularly between BigLaw, mid-market firms, and smaller practices. Those seeking high compensation typically gravitate toward larger firms, where the pressures of billable hours and a demanding workload often accompany the financial rewards.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,813 | $40.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,285 | $50.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,229 | $70.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $187,173 | $89.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $226,656 | $108.97 |
Median Salary Position
12.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leawood
In Leawood, KS, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,843 (2026 est.). At $146,229, the local median is 12.53% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leawood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leawood Lawyer Pay Compares
Leawood median: $146,229/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leawood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $152,005 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -12.53% less |
Lawyers in Leawood, KS earn a median of $146,229 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.53% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.80% below the Kansas state average of $152,005.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leawood 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.
Leawood, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $146,229 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $160,868 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,554
2025 BLS Actual
$139,665
2026 Current Est.
$146,229
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,554 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,027 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,954 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,733 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,216 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,665 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,229 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,102 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leawood metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $107,554 (2019) to $139,665 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,102 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,548 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leawood 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) | $84,813 – $105,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,285 – $146,229 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,229 – $187,173 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $187,173 – $226,656 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Leawood
Currently, only five lawyers are employed in Leawood, indicating a relatively niche legal market. The cost of living index rests at 90.9, suggesting that despite the competitive salary range, the purchasing power for legal professionals is better than average. Employers such as BigLaw firms tend to offer significantly higher salaries, driven by the intensity of the work and high billable hours expectations. Conversely, mid-size and boutique firms, while paying less, may provide a more balanced workload. The difference in earnings can typically be attributed to firm tier, geographical location, partnership opportunities, and the contrasting dynamics of public versus private sector roles. Lawyers aiming to maximize their earnings in Leawood should focus on gaining experience in high-demand specialties and considering roles with firms that offer lucrative bonus structures or long-term partnership potential.
More salary data for Leawood, 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 $139,665 for lawyersin the Leawood 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 Leawood 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