How Much Does a CNA Make in Nebraska in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Nebraska, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Nebraska · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Nebraska earns about $19.23 per hour ($40,000 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 5% below the national figure of $20.32 per hour ($42,260 per year), and Nebraska ranks 27th out of 51 states, including D.C., for CNA pay.
Around 16,450 CNAs work across the state, in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities from Omaha to smaller towns.
How much does a CNA make in Nebraska?
CNA pay by career stage in Nebraska
| Career stage | Nebraska | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $37,090$17.83 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $38,030$18.29 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $40,000$19.23 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $46,410$22.31 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $48,980$23.55 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Nebraska
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Nebraska · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, Nebraska CNAs earned a typical $24,130 per year. By 2025, that figure had risen to $40,000, a 66% climb over the decade. Nationally, typical CNA pay rose 64% over the same stretch, so Nebraska's rise ran slightly ahead of the national pace. For someone starting as a CNA now, pay has been moving up steadily each year, though nothing about the past decade guarantees the next one.
CNA salary by city in Nebraska
Pay runs highest in Omaha, where CNAs typically earn $40,020 per year ($19.24 an hour), home to the state's largest CNA workforce at 7,740 workers. Grand Island follows at $38,880 per year, and Lincoln typically pays $38,650 per year. The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas is $1,370 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and as in most states, higher pay in a metro area usually tracks a higher cost of living there.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Nebraska | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $40,020 | $19.24 | 0% | 7,740 |
| 2 | Grand Island | $38,880 | $18.69 | -3% | 590 |
| 3 | Lincoln | $38,650 | $18.58 | -3% | 2,630 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Nebraska typical pay $40,000
How Nebraska compares with nearby states
Among neighboring states, Colorado pays CNAs noticeably more, with typical pay running 18% above Nebraska's figure. Missouri and Kansas pay somewhat less, at 6% and 5% below Nebraska. Iowa, Wyoming, and South Dakota sit close to Nebraska's rate, within a few percentage points either way. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so nearby pay is worth knowing.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $40,000 | baseline |
| Colorado | $47,380 | +18% |
| Iowa | $39,350 | -2% |
| Wyoming | $39,160 | -2% |
| South Dakota | $38,800 | -3% |
| Kansas | $38,010 | -5% |
| Missouri | $37,680 | -6% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Nebraska a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in Nebraska sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $40,000 a year, 5% below the national figure, ranking 27th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Nebraska, about 16 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: CNAs make up a larger share of Nebraska's workforce than in most states.
Summary
Nebraska CNAs typically earn $19.23 an hour, or $40,000 a year, a figure that has climbed 66% over the past decade. For details on becoming certified, the state registry page covers Nebraska's requirements. For pay specific to a city, the local pages for Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island break down figures further.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Nebraska?
- A CNA in Nebraska typically earns $19.23 an hour, or about $40,000 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That runs about 5% below the national figure of $42,260 a year.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Nebraska?
- Nebraska CNAs typically earn $19.23 an hour. Entry-level positions typically offer around $17.83 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $23.55 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Nebraska?
- Entry-level CNAs in Nebraska typically start around $17.83 an hour, or about $37,090 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay rises with experience, with many CNAs moving toward $19.23 an hour, the typical rate statewide.
- Which city in Nebraska pays CNAs the most?
- Omaha pays CNAs the most in Nebraska, with typical pay of $40,020 a year ($19.24 an hour). Grand Island and Lincoln follow close behind, at $38,880 and $38,650 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area.
- Is CNA pay in Nebraska higher than the national rate?
- No. Nebraska CNAs typically earn about 5% less than the national figure, $19.23 an hour compared with $20.32 nationally. Nebraska ranks 27th out of 51 states, including D.C., for CNA pay. Lower pay in Nebraska tracks its lower cost of living compared with many other states.