ExpertPages survey finds expert witness fees hit new highs

A new ExpertPages survey of more than 400 expert witnesses and litigation consultants across North America shows average hourly fees rose to $465 in 2026, extending a decade-long climb. The findings suggest expert work is becoming more specialized, more expensive and more central to complex litigation.

Why it matters: - Expert witness costs are continuing to rise, which can affect litigation budgets for law firms, insurers and clients. - The survey suggests expert testimony is becoming more specialized and more valuable as cases grow more complex. - A free PDF version of the report is available as the fee survey.

What happened: - ExpertPages released its 2026 Expert Witness Fees & Practices Top Line Report on June 10, 2026. - The survey is based on responses from more than 400 expert witnesses and litigation consultants across North America. - Average hourly fees rose to $465 from $451 in 2024. - Reported hourly rates ranged from under $200 to more than $1,500.

The details: - 83% of experts have been practicing for 10 years or more. - 55% report more than 20 years of experience. - Nearly half, or 46%, spend one-third or less of their professional time on expert witness work. - 52% take fewer than 10 case assignments per year. - Only 7% handle 50 or more cases annually. - 98% charge an hourly rate or use a mix of hourly and flat-fee billing. - 74% require a minimum fee to accept a new engagement. - Among those requiring minimums, 40% set the floor between $2,500 and $4,999. - 55% typically earn more than $10,000 per case. - 4% report earning more than $50,000 per case. - 92% do some travel for work. - 87% spend less than 30% of their time away from their primary workplace. - The full cross-tabulated report will include breakdowns by field of practice, expected earnings, retainer practices and more.

Between the lines: - Gerry H. Goldsholle, CEO and founder of Advice Company, said litigation complexity and earlier expert retention are pushing both demand and fees higher. - The data point to a market where experienced experts dominate, which can make top specialists harder to replace and more expensive to retain. - ExpertPages said it has tracked these trends for nearly two decades, with demand for expert witness work described as more robust than ever.

What's next: - ExpertPages says the full comprehensive report will be released shortly. - The company is offering the top-line report as a free download for legal professionals, journalists, insurers and expert witnesses. - The survey has tracked expert witness trends since 2008 and was conducted this year by DeBow Communications Ltd., an independent research firm. - About 35% of respondents were current ExpertPages accredited members.

The bottom line: - Expert witness services are getting pricier, and the pool of experts appears to be older, more experienced and more concentrated in higher-value work.