Lawyer salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Lawyers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $134,640 a year ($64.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $287,200 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $133,450. There are 4.8 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $166,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| 25th percentile | $98,680 | $47.44 |
| Median | $134,640 | $64.73 |
| 75th percentile | $195,080 | $93.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $287,200 | $138.08 |
| Average (mean) | $166,230 | $79.92 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,220 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,610 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,178.46 |
| Weekly | $2,589.23 |
| Hourly | $64.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $134,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $142,690 | 6,100 |
| Manhattan, KS | $124,230 | 120 |
| Wichita, KS | $121,510 | 690 |
| Columbia, MO | $107,890 | 400 |
| Springfield, MO | $103,790 | 710 |
| Lawrence, KS | $103,070 | 140 |
| Topeka, KS | $102,500 | 680 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $97,370 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $96,190 | 180 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $94,600 | 120 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $93,320 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $164,530 | $79.10 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $63,880 | $30.71 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $55,940 | $26.89 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $71,220 | $34.24 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for lawyers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $134,640 a year, or $64.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $287,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $287,200 a year. The top 25% earn $195,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,310 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $98,680 or less.
How many lawyers work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 5,310 lawyers are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.