How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in Nebraska in 2026?

A typical Surgical Tech in Nebraska earns about $30.71 per hour, or roughly $63,880 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to close to $5,323 a month and $1,228 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. These figures represent typical pay for the role, with individual paychecks landing above or below depending on setting and experience.

Nebraska's typical pay sits 1% below the national figure of $64,650 for Surgical Techs, according to the same May 2025 data. That places the state 25th among the 51 states and D.C. ranked for this occupation. Roughly 770 Surgical Techs work in Nebraska, a modest workforce that still spans hospitals in Omaha, Lincoln, and smaller communities statewide.

Entry-level positions in Nebraska typically offer around $23.98 an hour, or about $49,870 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. Some early-career roles start closer to $27.74 an hour, or $57,700 a year, as techs gain hands-on experience. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical $63,880 within the first few years on the job. New surgical technologists in Nebraska can expect steady increases as they build experience in the operating room.

Experienced Surgical Techs in Nebraska often earn upwards of $68,840 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $79,350. That leaves a spread of $29,480 between entry-level and top pay. The difference usually comes down to years on the job, the type of facility, and which city a tech works in, with Lincoln and Omaha generally paying more than smaller towns.

Nebraska's typical pay for Surgical Techs has climbed from $41,000 in 2015 to $63,880 in 2025, a gain of $22,880. That amounts to a 56% rise over the decade, according to the same wage data. The increase has been steady each year, with the sharpest jump between 2022 and 2023, when pay rose from $50,040 to $59,630.

Nationally, Surgical Tech pay rose 46% over the same ten years, meaning Nebraska's growth outpaced the national trend. Pay for the role has moved up consistently in Nebraska every year since 2015. Someone starting now enters at a higher point than surgical technologists did a decade ago, though future gains aren't guaranteed.

Pay for Surgical Techs is fairly uniform across Nebraska's two reported metro areas. Lincoln pays the most, with a typical annual figure of $65,110 ($31.30 an hour), about 2% above the statewide figure. Omaha follows closely behind, and both cities cover their full metro areas rather than just the city limits.

Omaha is the lower-paying of the two cities at $65,050 a year ($31.27 an hour), just $60 below Lincoln, a gap narrow enough to call the two cities essentially even. Omaha also has the larger Surgical Tech workforce, with 380 employed there compared with 160 in Lincoln. Living costs factor into these small differences, and lower pay in a given area usually tracks lower costs of living.

Nebraska's neighbors show a wide range. Colorado pays the most at $75,740 a year, about 19% higher than Nebraska, while Missouri ($61,120), Kansas ($60,600), Iowa ($60,540), South Dakota ($59,870), and Wyoming ($58,850) all pay somewhat less, from 4% to 8% below the state figure. Surgical Tech licensure or certification requirements can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Surgical Techs in Nebraska typically earn $63,880 a year, a figure that has grown 56% over the past decade. Pay runs slightly below the national figure but keeps pace with several neighboring states, and Lincoln and Omaha offer nearly identical earnings. Readers weighing a move or a new career should check Nebraska's licensing or registry requirements and review city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.