Lawyer Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $50.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Lincoln, NE runs $50.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,061 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,634 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, NE, the median lawyer hourly pay stands at $50.99, substantially lower than the national median of $80.37. This disparity may have significant implications for part-time attorneys or those considering per-diem roles. For instance, a lawyer working three days a week would earn a gross income that supports various lifestyle choices, aligned with typical legal settings like law firm offices, courtrooms, and remote environments. The hourly range for lawyers in Lincoln varies considerably, with entry-level positions typically starting around $33.21 and experienced professionals earning up to $88.32 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals not just the pay scale but also the diverse opportunities available within the legal profession in Lincoln, illustrating the financial structure in which these professionals operate.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.21 | $265.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.27 | $322.14 |
| Median (P50) | $50.99 | $407.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.59 | $540.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.32 | $706.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $50.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.99/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $106,057 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,187. With a cost-of-living index of 91.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,039.56 | $8,838 | $106,057 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,223.73 | $5,303 | $63,634 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $815.82 | $3,535 | $42,423 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Lincoln) | $50.99 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $106,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.56% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 30.70% below the Nebraska state average of $153,046.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.99/hr = $63,634/year (purchasing power: $69,484).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,057/year (purchasing power: $115,807).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Lincoln grew 21.7% from $40.03/hr (2019) to $48.70/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.39/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Lincoln
For those contemplating part-time work, the financial landscape offers different realities. A lawyer working 24 hours a week might take home around $39,000 in annual earnings, which can significantly contrast with full-time positions that cater to much higher income brackets. Per-diem and agency work present an intriguing aspect of this sector; contract attorneys might earn between $25 and $50 per hour, while more experienced legal professionals can command rates soaring to $200 to $500 per hour for 1099 arrangements or expert witness roles. The hourly wage often varies across employer types in Lincoln, with larger firms and in-house positions typically offering better compensation than public defender or legal aid roles. While some lawyers prefer lower hourly rates for associated benefits like health insurance, others seek freelance opportunities for higher pay, illustrating the critical negotiations that influence hourly rates in this market. Understanding these dynamics equips aspiring lawyers with the insights needed to navigate their career paths more effectively.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Lincoln. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov