Lawyer Cost Estimator
Multiply your hours by the average lawyer rate for your practice area and state.
The average US lawyer bills $362 an hour in 2026, according to Clio's Legal Trends data (updated October 2026). State averages run from $205 in West Virginia to $506 in Delaware. This estimator multiplies the hours you enter by the average rate for your practice area and your state, and shows the sum. Many matters are billed as a flat fee or on contingency instead, and the result says which. This is general information, not legal advice; ask a licensed attorney for a quote on your case.
How the estimate works
The tool multiplies the hours you enter by two published averages and shows both sums. The first is Clio's 2026 US average for the practice area you pick. The second is Clio's 2026 average for all lawyers in your state, or for the United States if you leave the state blank.
For example, 10 hours of family law work at the US family average of $357 an hour is 10 × $357 = $3,570. At California's average for all lawyers, $430, the same 10 hours is 10 × $430 = $4,300.
For fees that the law caps, such as Social Security disability and some malpractice cases, see how much a lawyer costs.
What these figures can't tell you
- What your lawyer charges. An average hides a wide spread: in the State Bar of Michigan's 2026 survey, a quarter of family lawyers billed $295 an hour or less and a quarter billed $400 or more.
- How many hours your matter will take. That depends on the facts and on how hard the other side fights, so ask the lawyer for an estimate in writing.
- What a flat-fee or contingency matter costs. The sum only fits work billed by the hour.
- Costs on top of the fee, such as court filing fees, expert witnesses and records. Ask whether they are billed separately.
- Rates for lawyers outside Clio's data. Its averages cover tens of thousands of US legal professionals, which is a sample of the profession.
Sources
- Compare Average Lawyer Hourly Rate by State (2026 Data) (Clio, Legal Trends, 2026). Average hourly rates by state and by practice area, updated October 2026. Clio, a legal technology company, calculates them from aggregated, anonymized data from tens of thousands of US legal professionals and publishes the research each year in its Legal Trends Report.
- Economics of Law: 2026 Survey Results, Attorney Income and Billing Rate Summary (State Bar of Michigan, 2026). A survey of Michigan lawyers run in early 2026 with the American Bar Association Center for Bar Leadership: 4,652 usable responses from 32,816 members invited (14.2%). Hourly rates are reported as percentiles by field of practice.
- Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5: Fees (American Bar Association, current text). The model ethics rule on fees. Each state writes its own rule, which can differ from the model, so check your state bar for the rule that binds your lawyer.
- California Business and Professions Code section 6146 (California Legislative Information, as amended effective January 1, 2023). Caps contingency fees in medical malpractice cases against health care providers.
- New York Judiciary Law section 474-a (New York State Senate, current text). Sets a sliding contingency fee schedule for medical, dental and podiatric malpractice.
Figures last checked against these sources on November 9, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a lawyer cost?
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For hourly work, the average US lawyer bills $362 an hour in 2026, according to Clio's Legal Trends data (updated October 2026). State averages run from $205 in West Virginia to $506 in Delaware, and practice-area averages from $132 to $484. This tool multiplies the hours you enter by those averages. Flat-fee and contingency matters are priced differently, so ask for the fee in writing.
What is a contingency fee?
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With a contingency fee you pay no fee up front, and the lawyer takes an agreed percentage of what you recover. The percentage has to be in a written agreement you sign, which must also say which case expenses you owe even if you lose (ABA Model Rule 1.5(c)). Some laws cap the fee: the lesser of 25% of past-due benefits or $9,200 under a Social Security fee agreement, and 20% to 25% in injury claims against the federal government. Contingency fees aren't allowed in criminal defense or for getting a divorce.
Why doesn't the tool show a flat fee or a contingency percentage?
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We haven't found a public, dated source for typical flat-fee prices or typical contingency percentages, so the tool doesn't quote them. It shows how each practice area usually bills and, where a law limits the fee, what the limit is.
Is this tool legal advice?
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No. This tool provides general information only and is not legal advice. Results are estimates and every case is different — always consult a licensed attorney in your state about your specific situation.
Talk to a lawyer near you
This tool gives general estimates. For guidance on your specific situation, connect with a licensed attorney. Many offer a free or low-cost first consultation.
Find a Lawyer Near YouThis tool provides general information only and is not legal advice. Results are estimates and outcomes vary by state and the facts of your case. Lawyers Near Me is not a law firm. Always consult a licensed attorney in your state about your specific situation.