Lawyer Salary in Hastings, NE: $149,236 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Hastings, NE earns a median $149,236/year (≈ $71.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Hastings's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $163,099 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hastings, Nebraska, the projected median annual salary for lawyers in 2026 is $149,236, which reflects a notable gap when compared to the national median of $167,174. This salary range, from a lower end of $86,557 to a peak of $231,316, illustrates the diverse earning potential in the local legal market, a factor heavily influenced by the public versus private sector divide. Lawyers here frequently face challenges in loan repayment that may skew public interest positions toward more attractive compensation packages in private firms for those seeking higher pay. Effectively navigating these options can greatly impact their financial outcomes in Hastings.
About the Hastings Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,557 | $41.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,450 | $51.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $149,236 | $71.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $191,022 | $91.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $231,316 | $111.21 |
Median Salary Position
10.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hastings
In Hastings, NE, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,759 (2026 est.). At $149,236, the local median is 10.73% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hastings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hastings Lawyer Pay Compares
Hastings median: $149,236/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hastings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $152,906 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -10.73% less |
Lawyers in Hastings, NE earn a median of $149,236 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.73% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $152,906.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hastings has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hastings, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $149,236 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $163,099 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,766
2025 BLS Actual
$142,537
2026 Current Est.
$149,236
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Hastings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,766 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,256 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,175 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,338 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,537 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $149,236 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,250 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hastings metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $109,766 (2019) to $142,537 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,250 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,484 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hastings 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $86,557 – $107,450 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,450 – $149,236 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $149,236 – $191,022 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $191,022 – $231,316 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Hastings
The local legal community in Hastings employs only five lawyers, underscoring a tight and competitive job market. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, lawyers may find that their take-home pay provides relatively more purchasing power compared to larger urban markets. The highest salaries are typically found in regional firms and corporate legal departments, where compensation structures may offer bonuses and partnership opportunities. Key factors that influence the earnings spectrum include the firm's tier, market demand, and billable hour expectations, which range significantly between public sector roles and private practice, often leading to disparities in compensation. New attorneys in Hastings looking to maximize their pay should seek positions that offer robust benefits and potential mentorship from experienced practitioners, along with opportunities for additional certifications or specialties that can enhance their market value.
More salary data for Hastings, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $142,537 for lawyersin the Hastings metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hastings is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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