Lawyers in Nebraska. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Nebraska lawyers earned a median wage of $104,970 in 2024, about 30% below the national median of $149,496. That gap looks large on paper. It shrinks considerably once you account for local costs: Nebraska's cost-of-living index sits at 91, meaning a dollar here buys roughly 10% more than the national average. Adjusted for that, the in-state median lands closer to $115,000 in national-baseline terms, cutting the gap to around 23%.
The spread between low and high earners is wide. Lawyers at the 10th percentile earned $60,580, while those at the 90th earned $208,100. Top earners make about 3.4 times what the lowest-paid 10% make. That range likely reflects differences in practice area, years of experience, and whether someone works at a large firm, a public agency, or solo. The mean wage of $127,010 sits well above the median, which tells us a smaller group of high earners pulls the average up.
BLS projects lawyer employment to grow 4.2% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average growth. The state employed roughly 3,470 lawyers in 2024.
Nebraska's nominal wages sit below figures for coastal states, but the cost-of-living difference closes a meaningful portion of that gap in real terms. The headline comparison to the national median understates what the money actually buys here.
Salary distribution
Where Nebraska lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,240 and $166,080, with a median of $109,170.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Nebraska
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Nebraska over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Nebraska?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Nebraska is $109,170.
- How does Nebraska compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Nebraska median is -31.5% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Nebraska?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,030 and the 90th-percentile at $217,700, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.