Paralegal Hourly Pay in Kearney, NE: $27.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Kearney, NE runs $27.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,359 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Kearney's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,414 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, paralegals can expect a median hourly pay of $27.58, which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $31.30. This hourly rate opens various employment opportunities for part-time workers, especially those considering positions in traditional law firms, corporate legal departments, or even government settings like those at the local courthouse. For example, a paralegal working three days a week might find this setup appealing, allowing flexibility while earning a competitive hourly wage. The overall hourly range is significant, starting from $21.02 at the 10th percentile to $42.74 at the 90th percentile, indicating that seasoned professionals with specialized skills can command higher pay, especially in roles such as e-discovery review or as freelance paralegals.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.02 | $168.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.88 | $183.01 |
| Median (P50) | $27.58 | $220.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.90 | $279.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.74 | $341.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kearney
Based on $27.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.58/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kearney, NE can expect to earn approximately $57,356 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,090. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kearney.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kearney
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,103.00 | $4,780 | $57,356 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $661.80 | $2,868 | $34,414 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $441.20 | $1,912 | $22,942 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Kearney) | $27.58 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Kearney, NE earn a median of $57,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $59,563.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.58/hr = $34,414/year (purchasing power: $37,611).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,356/year (purchasing power: $62,684).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Kearney grew 21.6% from $21.92/hr (2019) to $26.64/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.54/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Kearney
Earnings potential can markedly differ for those employed on a part-time basis compared to full-time positions. A paralegal working part-time at 24 hours per week could realistically take home around $34,233 annually, well below the income of full-time counterparts. Contractual or per-diem paralegals often find themselves commanding higher rates based on their niche expertise; fees can range from $25 to $90 per hour depending on the service offered. For instance, e-discovery specialists might earn between $30 and $60, while trial preparation paralegals may reach rates as high as $90 during active litigation periods. In Kearney, variations in hourly pay also stem from the type of employer; law firms typically offer different pay structures than government positions, with many paralegals weighing the trade-off between lower hourly rates with benefits and higher pay without them. Furthermore, understanding local negotiation tactics and compensation norms can aid new paralegals in securing fairer pay in Kearney’s legal job market.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Kearney. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov