Lawyer Salary in Lincoln, NE: $106,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Lincoln, NE earns a median $106,061/year (≈ $50.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $115,811 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 30.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, lawyer salaries in Lincoln, NE, reflect a significant division across firm types, mirroring the national trend of compensation disparities between BigLaw and smaller practices. The projected median annual salary stands at $106,061, which highlights a stark contrast against the national median of $167,174. Lincoln's salary range runs from $69,071 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $183,717 for those at the 90th percentile, illustrating the pronounced gaps in earnings based on firm size and specialization. These estimates, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, inform legal professionals about both entry-level and peak earnings, emphasizing that the local market tends to favor mid-sized and boutique firms, which offer competitive salaries without the intense billable hour requirements often seen in larger firms.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,071 | $33.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,760 | $40.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,061 | $50.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,602 | $67.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,717 | $88.32 |
Median Salary Position
36.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,646 (2026 est.). At $106,061, the local median is 36.56% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Lawyer Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $106,061/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $153,046 | -30.70% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -36.56% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $106,061 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,811 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,270
2025 BLS Actual
$101,300
2026 Current Est.
$106,061
2019–2027 Growth
+33.4%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,046 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 21.7% from $83,270 (2019) to $101,300 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,046 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,776 (33.36%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $69,071 – $83,760 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,760 – $106,061 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,061 – $140,602 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,602 – $183,717 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Lincoln
In Lincoln, the local market employs around 820 lawyers, contributing to a vibrant legal community despite the overall salary being lower than the national average. With a cost-of-living index of 91.581, lawyers in the area experience a slightly more favorable economic environment, which can enhance their real earnings. Among the highest-paying opportunities are in larger corporate legal departments and mid-sized firms that align closer to regional pay scales, rather than the national BigLaw benchmarks. Factors that significantly contribute to the salary variation in this market include the firm type, with big firms generally offering higher compensation associated with formidable workload expectations. Understanding local demands and networking within the community can help aspiring lawyers maximize their market potential in Lincoln, ultimately affecting how much do lawyers make in Lincoln.
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
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 $101,300 for lawyersin the Lincoln 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
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