How Much Does an RN Make in Nebraska in 2026?

A typical registered nurse in Nebraska earns about $40.74 per hour, or $84,730 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $7,061 a month and $1,629 a week. Those are the typical figures for the state as a whole, covering RNs across hospitals, clinics, and other settings. Individual pay varies by employer, shift, and location within Nebraska.

Nebraska's typical pay sits about 13% below the national figure of $97,550, and the state ranks 31st among 51 states and D.C. ranked for RN pay. Even so, Nebraska is home to a sizable RN workforce, with about 24,720 registered nurses working across the state. That scale means pay data here reflects a broad, established profession rather than a small handful of positions.

Entry-level positions in Nebraska typically offer around $31.74 an hour, or about $66,020 a year, for RNs just starting out. Pay in these early roles reflects limited experience and often a narrower scope of responsibility. Within a few years, most RNs see their pay move up toward the state's typical figure of $84,730 a year. That climb usually comes with added certifications, more clinical responsibility, or a shift to a higher-paying setting.

Experienced RNs in Nebraska often earn upwards of $47.90 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $106,190 a year. This is a spread of $40,170 between entry-level and top-tier pay. The gap usually tracks years of experience, practice setting, and which Nebraska city an RN works in, with hospital specialty units and leadership roles paying the most.

Nebraska RN pay has climbed from $57,960 in 2015 to $84,730 in 2025, a gain of $26,770. That is a rise of 46% over the decade, tracked through the latest government wage data (May 2025). The increase did not move in a straight line every year, but the overall trend moved consistently upward. By 2025, typical pay had grown by nearly half compared with a decade earlier.

That 46% increase closely tracks the national decade rise of 45%, meaning Nebraska's RN pay has kept pace with the broader trend across the country. For someone starting an RN career in Nebraska now, the data shows steady upward movement in pay over the past ten years. Past growth does not guarantee future gains, but the decade-long pattern has been upward.

Pay runs highest in Lincoln, where RNs typically earn $87,530 a year, about 3% above the statewide figure of $84,730. Omaha follows closely, with typical pay of $84,600 a year. Grand Island rounds out the state's three reported metro areas at $82,590 a year. Figures for each city reflect its full metro area, not just the city proper.

Grand Island pays the least among Nebraska's reported cities, at $82,590 a year, putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $4,940. Omaha has by far the largest RN workforce in the state, with about 13,200 registered nurses working in the metro area. Pay differences across Nebraska's cities are modest, and they generally track local living costs.

Nebraska's RN pay compares closely with most of its neighbors. Colorado pays the most nearby, with typical RN pay of $100,260 a year, about 18% above Nebraska. Wyoming ($83,760), Missouri ($81,780), Kansas ($79,320), Iowa ($78,630), and South Dakota ($78,060) all pay somewhat less, with South Dakota 8% below Nebraska. Nursing licenses can often be endorsed or transferred between neighboring states, which can make comparing local pay worthwhile when weighing a move.

A typical RN in Nebraska earns $84,730 a year, up 46% over the past decade from $57,960 in 2015. Pay varies by city and experience level, but the overall trend across the state has been upward. Readers weighing a move to Nebraska or considering the profession can check the state's nursing licensing or registry page for requirements, and the city-level pages for local pay figures before making a decision.