Registered Nurse Salary in Norfolk, NE: $87,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Norfolk, NE earns a median $87,541/year (≈ $42.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Norfolk's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $95,673 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in Norfolk, NE, reflect a competitive landscape despite the rise of travel nursing, which tends to command higher compensation in high-cost areas. The projected median annual salary for nurses in Norfolk stands at $87,541, which is about 14.79% lower than the national median of $102,730. The local salary range varies significantly from $68,122 at the 10th percentile to $116,641 at the 90th percentile, indicating that there are various factors influencing pay, including specialties and shift differentials. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight a local job market that can sustain both staff and travel nursing dynamics.
About the Norfolk Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,122 | $32.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,632 | $36.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,541 | $42.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,546 | $47.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,641 | $56.08 |
Median Salary Position
14.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norfolk
In Norfolk, NE, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,519 (2026 est.). At $87,541, the local median is 14.79% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Norfolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Norfolk Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Norfolk median: $87,541/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norfolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $94,029 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -14.79% less |
Registered Nurses in Norfolk, NE earn a median of $87,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.79% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 6.90% below the Nebraska state average of $94,029.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norfolk 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.
Norfolk, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $87,541 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,673 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,462
2025 BLS Actual
$83,127
2026 Current Est.
$87,541
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Norfolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,462 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,192 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,127 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,344 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,764 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,127 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,189 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norfolk metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $62,462 (2019) to $83,127 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,727 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norfolk 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,122 – $75,632 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,632 – $87,541 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,541 – $98,546 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,546 – $116,641 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Norfolk
With only six registered nurses currently employed in the area, Norfolk's job market is nuanced but presents unique opportunities. The cost of living index is at 91.5, which means that while salaries may be lower compared to national averages, purchasing power is relatively preserved. Among employers, hospital systems typically offer the highest pay, especially for nurses working in acute care settings like ICUs and emergency departments. Factors contributing to salary variation include shift differentials, which can add $3-7/hour for night shifts and $3-5 for weekends, alongside potential stipends for specialty certifications. For nurses in Norfolk looking to maximize their earning potential, targeting higher-paying facilities and pursuing advanced certifications, particularly in specialties recognized by the ANA, will be key strategies.
More salary data for Norfolk, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $83,127 for registered nursesin the Norfolk metropolitan area. A 5.31% 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 Norfolk 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 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