Lawyer Salary in Sedalia, MO: $101,107 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Sedalia, MO earns a median $101,107/year (≈ $48.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Sedalia's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $112,843 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sedalia, Missouri, the projected annual salary for lawyers in 2026 stands at $101,107, which reflects the town's position in the broader legal market dominated by various tiers of practice. In stark contrast to Cravath-scale salaries in major markets, Sedalia offers a salary range from $58,641 at the low end to $156,715 for the highest earners. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, indicate a distinct tier within the legal profession, as local firms typically align more closely with mid-market or boutique operations rather than large national firms. As such, those navigating their career paths in Sedalia will find that while compensation lags behind national averages—about 39.52% less than the national median of $167,174—there are still opportunities characterized by a stable market for legal services in the community.
About the Sedalia Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,641 | $28.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,797 | $35.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,107 | $48.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,417 | $62.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,715 | $75.34 |
Median Salary Position
39.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sedalia
In Sedalia, MO, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,074 (2026 est.). At $101,107, the local median is 39.52% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sedalia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sedalia Lawyer Pay Compares
Sedalia median: $101,107/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sedalia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $105,319 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -39.52% less |
Lawyers in Sedalia, MO earn a median of $101,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.52% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 4.00% below the Missouri state average of $105,319.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sedalia has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sedalia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $101,107 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,843 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,366
2025 BLS Actual
$96,568
2026 Current Est.
$101,107
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Sedalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,366 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,767 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,408 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,095 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,155 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,114 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,568 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,107 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,859 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sedalia metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $74,366 (2019) to $96,568 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,859 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,493 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sedalia 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) | $58,641 – $72,797 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,797 – $101,107 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,107 – $129,417 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,417 – $156,715 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Sedalia
With only six lawyers currently employed in Sedalia, the local legal job market is relatively small, which can impact available opportunities and compensation scales. The area's cost of living index at 89.6 suggests a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Most legal jobs in Sedalia come from small to mid-tier firms and public service roles, with compensation generally reflecting this structure. The wide salary variance often results from factors like firm type and location, billable hours expectations, and the public versus private sector divide. To maximize pay in Sedalia's market, aspiring lawyers should consider pursuing specialized practice areas that are in demand locally, expanding into nearby regions, or seeking positions with government agencies for potential benefits like student loan forgiveness, which can balance lower pay against lifestyle advantages.
More salary data for Sedalia, MO:
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 $96,568 for lawyersin the Sedalia 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 Sedalia 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