A hanger bar for a recessed lighting fixture mounting is disclosed. The hanger bar includes a rail portion having a wall that is in a first plane. The hanger bar further includes a first end portion disposed at a first end of the rail portion and a second end portion disposed at a second end of the rail portion. Each of the first end portion and the second end portion includes a first tab extending from the rail portion in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. Each of the first end portion and the second end portion further includes a second tab extending from the rail portion and a notch that is substantially below the first tab. The second tab extends beyond the first tab, and the notch is partially bounded by an edge of the second tab.