I can tell you right now I worked for a Law Firm in NC (I did not think too highly of them) and they pay their abstractors at LEAST 15.00/hour. Turn over is high however, as the culture is very "cut throat"-this is the same firm I talked to a while back where some late 20s blonde out of law school threatened to slash my tires if I ever parked in her spot (it was a public space :-P)

Another one I later worked for (WHO ARE SUPER COOL!) paid about...22/hour for their in house?

I would say go through the interview process and then when they pitch an offer, negotiate up to at least 15 or whatever you think is reasonable but be ready to justify it.

If they are desperate, they will pay it. Whats that? They can't provide insurance? Go in as a 1099 Contractor on a 6-month-renegotiation term and charge like crazy. Demand = Supply = $$$$ CHA CHING.

Be innovative, be smart, and go get 'em killer!