Lawyer Salary in Kearney, NE: $147,301 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Kearney, NE earns a median $147,301/year (≈ $70.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $160,985 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, the legal profession offers an annual median salary of $147,301, reflecting a notable divergence from the national median. The salary range for lawyers spans from $85,435 at the lower end (P10) to $228,317 at the higher end (P90), indicating a range of opportunities depending on firm size and practice area. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost factors to provide a clearer picture of local earning potential. Comparatively, the Kearney lawyer pay is approximately 11.89% lower than the national average, which highlights the structural differences in legal markets across the U.S. and the specific economic landscape of Kearney.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,435 | $41.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,057 | $50.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,301 | $70.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,546 | $90.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,317 | $109.77 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $142,882 (2026 est.). At $147,301, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Lawyer Pay Compares
Kearney median: $147,301/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $152,961 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -11.89% less |
Lawyers in Kearney, NE earn a median of $147,301 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $152,961.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney 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.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $147,301 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $160,985 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,343
2025 BLS Actual
$140,689
2026 Current Est.
$147,301
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,343 | Actual |
| 2020 | $111,841 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,775 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,604 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,433 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,973 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,689 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,301 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,225 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $108,343 (2019) to $140,689 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,225 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,882 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $85,435 – $106,057 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,057 – $147,301 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,301 – $188,546 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,546 – $228,317 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Kearney
The local legal market in Kearney employs nine lawyers, a number that attests to its relatively small, close-knit this legal community. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, living expenses in Kearney are lower than national averages, enhancing overall purchasing power for residents. In terms of salary disparities, top pay can often be found within regional firms or corporate in-house legal departments, while smaller private practices and public sector roles generally offer lower compensation. The salary spread arises from various factors, such as firm types, location premiums, billable hour requirements, and the balance of public versus private sector roles. Legal professionals might maximize their earnings by seeking positions in larger firms, moving in-house for corporate roles, or considering specialized practice areas. This strategic approach can help them navigate compensation effectively in Kearney's competitive market.
More salary data for Kearney, 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 $140,689 for lawyersin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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