Paralegal Salary in Kearney, NE: $57,359 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Kearney, NE earns a median $57,359/year (≈ $27.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, paralegals in Kearney, Nebraska, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,359, which represents a competitive rate when examined alongside various tiers of law firms. The salary range extends from $43,722 for entry-level positions to as much as $88,907 for those at the top end of the pay scale, reflecting the disparity often seen between large law firms and smaller boutique practices. Local estimates, derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reveal that Kearney's paralegal pay lags behind the national average, which stands at $65,097. This local salary landscape suggests that the job market will favor those with relevant certifications, such as those from NALA or NFPA, particularly in firms that offer expansion into specialized fields, thereby aiding in career advancement opportunities.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,722 | $21.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,581 | $22.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,359 | $27.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,598 | $34.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,907 | $42.74 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,185 (2026 est.). At $57,359, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Paralegal Pay Compares
Kearney median: $57,359/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $59,563 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -11.89% less |
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.
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 paralegal earning $57,359 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,687 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,589
2025 BLS Actual
$55,414
2026 Current Est.
$57,359
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,589 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,629 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,546 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,163 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,722 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,581 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,414 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,359 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $45,589 (2019) to $55,414 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,783 (30.23%) 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 3.51% 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) | $43,722 – $47,581 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,581 – $57,359 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,359 – $72,598 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,598 – $88,907 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Kearney
Kearney's paralegal job market features just nine professionals currently employed in this field, indicating a tighter labor pool that can both create competition and enhance job security. The cost of living index in Kearney sits at 91.5, indicating that expenses are lower than the national average, which can positively affect paralegals' take-home pay and overall quality of life. Significant earners can typically be found in BigLaw firms or in-house positions that require specialized skills, such as e-discovery. The differences in pay can be attributed to firm size, area of expertise, and even certifications. For those looking to maximize their pay in Kearney, pursuing additional certifications, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, or considering positions within corporate legal departments may provide a more advantageous salary trajectory than traditional law firm roles.
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
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 $55,414 for paralegalsin the Kearney metropolitan area. A 3.51% 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 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