Nurse Practitioner Salary in Nebraska: $135,696 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $135,696/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $148,302 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($133,760), Grand Island ($125,690), Lincoln ($124,440).
In Nebraska, the average nurse practitioner salary for 2026 is projected at $135,695, slightly below the national median of $136,864, indicating a difference of 0.9%. The highest salaries can be found in Omaha at $138,375, while North Platte offers the lowest at $116,451, creating a significant gap of $21,924. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas compared to rural settings. Nebraska has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the job market. Nurse practitioners in Nebraska have the authority to prescribe medications and provide care autonomously, which is a contributing factor to the growing demand in this field. The projected annual growth rate for nurse practitioner employment in the state is 3.45%, reflecting a steady increase in job opportunities. Major cities expected to have competitive salaries include Grand Island at $130,026, Lincoln at $128,733, Hastings at $122,179, and Fremont at $121,519. Overall, the job market for nurse practitioners in Nebraska appears strong, with a positive outlook driven by ongoing healthcare needs across the state.
Nebraska Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $86,919 (lowest entry-level) to $176,144 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska nurse practitioners earn 0.85% less than the national median ($-1,168/year difference).
Nebraska Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Nebraska range from $108,285 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $166,776 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $135,696. The Nebraska median is $1,168 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $65.24/hr. Approximately 1,842 nurse practitioners are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$103,127
2025 BLS Actual
$131,170
2026 Current Est.
$135,696
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,127 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,039 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,563 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,651 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,998 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,516 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,696 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,377 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 27.2% from $103,127 (2019) to $131,170 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,377 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,250 (36.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| North Platte | $116,451 |
| Papillion | $116,489 |
| La Vista | $116,611 |
| Norfolk | $116,630 |
| Columbus | $116,941 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $138,375 | 91.911 | $150,553 |
| Grand Island | $130,026 | 86.657 | $150,047 |
| Lincoln | $128,733 | 91.581 | $140,567 |
| Hastings | $122,179 | 91.5 | $133,529 |
| Fremont | $121,519 | 91.5 | $132,808 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $108,285 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $135,696 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $166,776 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $138,375 |
| 2 | Grand Island | $130,026 |
| 3 | Lincoln | $128,733 |
| 4 | Hastings | $122,179 |
| 5 | Fremont | $121,519 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $121,266 |
| 7 | Kearney | $120,595 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $120,180 |
| 9 | Columbus | $116,941 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $116,630 |
| 11 | La Vista | $116,611 |
| 12 | Papillion | $116,489 |
| 13 | North Platte | $116,451 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Nebraska?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov