How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Nebraska in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in Nebraska earns about $27.04 per hour ($56,230 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $4,686 a month and $1,081 a week, based on calculations from the annual figure. Pay varies by city, employer, and years on the job, but this figure represents the middle of the range statewide. It offers a starting point for gauging where an individual paycheck might land.

That figure sits 7% below the national typical pay of $60,600 a year (about $29.13 an hour) for Paramedics, according to the same May 2025 data. Nebraska ranks 37th out of 51 states for Paramedic pay. About 490 Paramedics work across the state, a modest workforce compared with larger neighboring markets. Lower pay here tends to track Nebraska's lower cost of living relative to higher-cost states.

Entry-level positions for Paramedics in Nebraska typically offer around $21.75 an hour, or about $45,240 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. This range reflects pay for those just starting out, often in their first year or two on the job. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $56,230 within a few years of experience. Additional certifications and shift differentials can also push early pay higher in some departments.

Experienced Paramedics in Nebraska often earn upwards of $32.07 an hour, or around $66,700 a year, placing them in the top quarter of earners. The top 10% make over $76,710 a year, roughly $31,470 more than entry-level pay. That spread usually comes down to years on the job, the type of employer, and which city someone works in. Critical care certifications and supervisory roles also tend to push pay toward the higher end.

Paramedic pay in Nebraska has risen steadily since 2021, when the typical wage stood at $46,660 a year. By 2025, that figure reached $56,230 a year, a gain of $9,570. That amounts to about a 21% increase over the period, according to government wage data. The rise has been consistent year over year rather than a single jump.

Nationally, Paramedic pay rose about 30% over a comparable period, meaning Nebraska's gains have trailed the country as a whole. Even so, the trend in Nebraska has moved in one direction: up, every year from 2021 through 2025. Someone starting as a Paramedic in Nebraska today enters a field where pay has been climbing, though nothing guarantees that pattern continues.

Lincoln pays Paramedics the most among Nebraska's tracked metro areas, with typical pay of $63,900 a year ($30.72 an hour), about 14% above the state figure. Only two Nebraska metro areas have enough data to report separately, so pay across the rest of the state likely falls somewhere between these figures. These numbers cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Omaha, the lower-paying of the two, reports typical pay of $56,130 a year ($26.99 an hour), a difference of $7,770 from Lincoln. Omaha also employs the most Paramedics in the state, with 210 working there compared with 60 in Lincoln. Higher pay in Lincoln likely reflects local living costs as much as anything else, and a lower figure in Omaha does not necessarily mean fewer opportunities.

Nebraska's neighbors show a mixed picture. Wyoming pays Paramedics $64,040 a year, about 14% more than Nebraska, and Colorado runs close behind at $63,910 a year. Iowa pays $60,590 and Missouri pays $59,180, both a bit above Nebraska's figure. South Dakota pays less, at $48,830 a year, about 13% below Nebraska's figure, and Kansas also trails at $51,020. Paramedic licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which can open up options across these borders.

Paramedics in Nebraska typically earn $56,230 a year, up from $46,660 in 2021, a rise of about 21% over that span. Pay still trails the national figure by 7%, though it varies by city, with Lincoln running highest and Omaha employing the most Paramedics. Readers weighing a move or a career start can check Nebraska's licensing and registry requirements, and compare local figures on the city pages, for a fuller picture.