Lawyers in Kansas. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median wage for Lawyers in Kansas was $112,000 in 2024, about 25% below the US median of $149,496. That is a wide gap for a licensed profession, and the cost of living explains only part of it. Kansas sits at a cost-of-living index of 90, meaning everyday expenses run about 10% cheaper than the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the effective median lands closer to $124,400 in national-baseline dollars, which narrows the gap but does not close it.
The spread within the state is substantial. The bottom 10% of Kansas lawyers earned around $64,980, while the top 10% reached $224,240. Top earners make roughly 3.4 times what those at the lower end do. That kind of range is typical in law, where practice area, firm size, and seniority can move compensation sharply. A public defender and a partner at a corporate firm both show up in these numbers.
The average wage of $129,530 sits well above the median. A smaller group of high-earning lawyers pulls the average up, so the median is the more useful reference for anyone trying to understand what most Kansas lawyers actually take home.
BLS projects average growth for this occupation nationally between 2024 and 2034, at 4.2%. Kansas follows the national outlook category: average. The state's total employment count of 4,270 lawyers reflects a smaller legal market than coastal metros, which partly accounts for the wage gap. Fewer large firms and a lighter concentration of corporate and financial sector legal work keep the upper end of the distribution lower here than in states like New York or California.
Salary distribution
Where Kansas lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $83,810 and $159,310, with a median of $106,650.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Kansas
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Lawyers in Kansas, by industry
Median offered wage across 4 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Manufacturing leads with a median of $138,047.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Learjer Inc. | 2 | $138,047 |
| Education | The University of Kansas | 1 | $97,350 |
| Professional services | Martin Pringle Oliver Wallace & Bauer L.P. | 1 | $75,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kansas over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Kansas?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Kansas is $106,650.
- How does Kansas compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Kansas median is -33.1% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Kansas?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,300 and the 90th-percentile at $213,360, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.