Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Nebraska 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Nebraska registered nurses earn an average of $67,200 per year in 2026. Omaha's academic medical centers anchor the top of the pay range, while rural critical access hospitals increasingly offer relocation and loan repayment to fill persistent vacancies.
Nebraska RN Salary by City (2026)
| City | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $70,800 | $34.04 |
| Lincoln | $67,000 | $32.21 |
| Grand Island | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Kearney | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Norfolk | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| Hastings | $60,000 | $28.85 |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Nebraska
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $202,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $79,500 |
| ER / Emergency RN | $77,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $75,500 |
| Labor & Delivery RN | $73,000 |
| Med-Surg RN | $66,500 |
Top Employers in Nebraska
- Nebraska Medicine / UNMC — Omaha academic flagship; strong new-grad programs and specialty units
- CHI Health — largest multi-hospital system in NE; competitive shift differentials
- Bryan Health — Lincoln's major not-for-profit; tuition reimbursement, stable staffing ratios
- Faith Regional Health Services — Norfolk; rural NE's largest employer, relocation packages
- Kearney Regional Medical Center — Central NE hub; sign-on bonuses for critical care
NLC Compact Status
Nebraska is a full NLC compact member. RNs holding a Nebraska multistate license can practice in all other compact states without a separate license.
Nebraska RN Market Outlook
Rural Nebraska has significant nursing shortages — critical access hospitals across the state offer sign-on bonuses, loan repayment, and relocation assistance. Travel RN rates in Omaha run $1,500–$1,850/week. Nebraska's low cost of living makes real purchasing power higher than nominal salaries suggest relative to coastal states.
Related: RN Salary Iowa 2026, RN Salary Kansas 2026, Nebraska RN License Guide.
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