Registered Nurse Salary in Nebraska: $89,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $89,706/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $98,039 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lincoln ($87,530), Hastings ($87,082), Fremont ($86,611).
Considering a career as a registered nurse in Nebraska offers a range of salary prospects, with the 2026 average median salary projected at $89,706. This figure is approximately 12.7% lower than the national median of $102,730, reflecting regional economic factors that influence compensation. The highest paying city in the state is Lincoln, where registered nurses can expect to earn around $92,178, while those in Grand Island are projected to earn $86,976, illustrating a notable salary gap of $5,202. This difference may stem from varying costs of living, demand for healthcare services, and local healthcare facility funding. In Nebraska, registered nurses must meet state licensing requirements that include passing the NCLEX-RN examination and adhering to scope of practice laws that dictate the extent of nursing activities. Factors driving the demand for RNs in the state include a growing population and an aging demographic requiring more healthcare services, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.31% for nursing jobs. Overall, there are currently 18,292 registered nurses employed across Nebraska, with other cities like Hastings, Fremont, Bellevue, and Kearney offering competitive salaries ranging from $90,517 to $91,706. The outlook for nursing positions remains positive, supported by ongoing healthcare needs statewide.
Nebraska Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $63,089 (lowest entry-level) to $130,039 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska registered nurses earn 12.68% less than the national median ($-13,024/year difference).
Nebraska Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Nebraska range from $71,216 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $116,455 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $89,706. The Nebraska median is $13,024 below the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $43.13/hr. Approximately 18,292 registered nurses are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,595
2025 BLS Actual
$85,183
2026 Current Est.
$89,706
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,595 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,032 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,263 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,136 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,722 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,183 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,470 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 29.9% from $65,595 (2019) to $85,183 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,470 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,875 (44.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Grand Island | $86,976 |
| North Platte | $87,407 |
| Papillion | $87,436 |
| La Vista | $87,527 |
| Norfolk | $87,541 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $92,178 | 91.581 | $100,652 |
| Grand Island | $86,976 | 86.657 | $100,368 |
| Hastings | $91,706 | 91.5 | $100,225 |
| Fremont | $91,210 | 91.5 | $99,683 |
| Bellevue | $91,022 | 91.5 | $99,478 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $71,216 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $89,706 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $116,455 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln | $92,178 |
| 2 | Hastings | $91,706 |
| 3 | Fremont | $91,210 |
| 4 | Bellevue | $91,022 |
| 5 | Kearney | $90,517 |
| 6 | Scottsbluff | $90,206 |
| 7 | Omaha | $89,092 |
| 8 | Columbus | $87,775 |
| 9 | Norfolk | $87,541 |
| 10 | La Vista | $87,527 |
| 11 | Papillion | $87,436 |
| 12 | North Platte | $87,407 |
| 13 | Grand Island | $86,976 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in Nebraska?
How many registered nurses are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska city offers the best value for registered nurses?
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov