Lawyer Salary in Salina, KS: $147,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Salina, KS earns a median $147,043/year (≈ $70.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Salina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $161,763 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a lawyer in Salina, KS, earns a median annual salary of $147,043, which is notably lower than the national median of $167,174. The salary range for local attorneys spans from $85,284 at the 10th percentile to $227,916 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors. The compensation landscape here varies significantly by firm type and market tier, with larger firms generally offering higher pay. Salina's job market for legal professionals remains modest, with only 11 lawyers currently employed in the area, suggesting that opportunities may be limited but stable.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,284 | $41.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,871 | $50.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,043 | $70.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,215 | $90.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $227,916 | $109.58 |
Median Salary Position
12.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salina
In Salina, KS, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,632 (2026 est.). At $147,043, the local median is 12.04% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salina: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salina Lawyer Pay Compares
Salina median: $147,043/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $151,904 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -12.04% less |
Lawyers in Salina, KS earn a median of $147,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $151,904.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salina 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.
Salina, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $147,043 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $161,763 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,153
2025 BLS Actual
$140,442
2026 Current Est.
$147,043
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,153 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,577 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,394 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,207 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,442 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,954 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salina metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $108,153 (2019) to $140,442 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $153,954 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,801 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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) | $85,284 – $105,871 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,871 – $147,043 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,043 – $188,215 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,215 – $227,916 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Salina
The cost of living in Salina, with an index of 90.9, indicates lower expenses relative to the national average, which positively affects the purchasing power of local lawyers. Compensation comparisons among various law firms reveal that the highest salaries are typically found at mid-sized or regional firms rather than smaller boutique or solo practices. Factors contributing to pay disparities include the nature of the firm—where BigLaw firms tend to have the highest billable hour expectations—and sector preference, with in-house positions and government roles often providing less pay but better work-life balance. For those considering the legal market in Salina, strategies for maximizing earnings include networking within the local bar association, seeking positions in regional firms that offer competitive salaries, and exploring public interest law for its long-term benefits, such as student loan forgiveness programs.
More salary data for Salina, 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 $140,442 for lawyersin the Salina 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 Salina 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