Expert Witness Fees

Excerpted from the text SEAK, Inc. National Guide to Expert Witness Fees and Billing Procedures

Expert Witness Fees By Area of Expertise
The survey includes responses from 1,080 experts in over 300 areas of expertise, from Accident Reconstruction to Wound Care. There was significant variation in fees amongst different areas of expertise. Medical experts are on average much better compensated than non-medical experts. The average hourly fee for in court testimony for all non-medical experts is $248. The average hourly fee for in court testimony for all medical experts is $555. Medical experts on average earn more than double (124% more) what non-medical experts earn. 45% of all responding experts were medical experts and 55% of all responding experts were non-medical experts.

Fees for Trial, File Review and Depositions
On average, experts charge significantly more for their time while testifying at trial and deposition than their time while conducting file reviews and preparing. The average hourly fee for all experts was $385 for in-court testimony, $353 for depositions and $254 for file reviews and preparation. The average hourly fee for trial testimony is 52% higher than the average hourly fee for file reviews and preparation.