Lawyer Salary in North Platte, NE: $142,239 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in North Platte, NE earns a median $142,239/year (≈ $68.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in North Platte's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $155,452 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, attorneys in North Platte, Nebraska can expect a median annual salary of $142,239, reflecting the local market's expectations in terms of billable hours and financial compensation. The salary range varies significantly, from $82,498 at the 10th percentile to $220,471 at the 90th percentile. These figures represent estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, accounting for regional price adjustments. Despite being below the national median salary for lawyers, which stands at $167,174, North Platte's growing legal sector offers a stable environment for legal professionals, particularly given the city's relatively low cost of living and demand for legal services.
About the North Platte Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,498 | $39.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,412 | $49.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,239 | $68.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,066 | $87.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,471 | $106.00 |
Median Salary Position
14.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Platte
In North Platte, NE, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,973 (2026 est.). At $142,239, the local median is 14.92% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Platte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Platte Lawyer Pay Compares
North Platte median: $142,239/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Platte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $152,945 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -14.92% less |
Lawyers in North Platte, NE earn a median of $142,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.92% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $152,945.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Platte 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.
North Platte, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $142,239 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $155,452 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,620
2025 BLS Actual
$135,854
2026 Current Est.
$142,239
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in North Platte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,997 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,899 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,493 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,019 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,854 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,239 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,924 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Platte metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $104,620 (2019) to $135,854 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,924 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,304 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Platte 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) | $82,498 – $102,412 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,412 – $142,239 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,239 – $182,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,066 – $220,471 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in North Platte
With only four lawyers currently employed in North Platte, the local legal job market remains tight yet offers opportunities for strategic advancement. The area's cost of living index sits at 91.5, suggesting that disposable income is favorable compared to many metropolitan areas. Among the various employers, mid-size and regional firms tend to offer the most competitive pay in this locality, while larger firms and government roles typically offer less lucrative compensation but can provide certain benefits like job security and work-life balance. The disparity in earnings is often influenced by factors such as firm prestige, location, and the dynamics of billable hours. To maximize salary potential in North Platte, attorneys should actively seek out mid-sized firms with a reputation for reasonable hours, or consider transitioning to in-house roles that may afford greater lifestyle perks, complemented by potential for salary growth.
More salary data for North Platte, 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 $135,854 for lawyersin the North Platte 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 North Platte 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