Average salary in Nebraska

The cost of living in Nebraska is relatively low compared to other states, making it an affordable place to live. However, salaries can vary based on location, occupation, and industry. The state's highest paying industries include management, legal services, healthcare, and computer systems design.

Overall, Nebraska offers a lower cost of living and a competitive job market, making it an attractive destination for those seeking affordable living with decent earning potential. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries?

Average salary in Nebraska by city

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. Nebraska has a relatively small number of cities with a population of more than 50,000 but, from these, the difference in average household income is only around $20,000.

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the 10 largest cities in Nebraska, which you can find ranked below.

Average salary in Nebraska by county

Reviewing average salaries in Nebraska by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Nebraska by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county.

Highest paying jobs in Nebraska 

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Nebraska: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.  

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by occupation area, which you can also find below.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Nebraska

What is the average salary in Nebraska by age?
Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Nebraska are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 years old have a median household income of $42,423; householders aged 25 to 44 years old have a median income of $70,050; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $76,486; and those 65 and older have a median income of $49,217.

What is a ‘good’ salary in Nebraska?
The median income in Nebraska is $63,229. Defining what is considered a good salary depends on a variety of factors, such as an individual's occupation, experience, education level, and location. In general, a good salary is one that allows a person or family to comfortably cover their basic needs, pay their bills, and save for the future.

What is the average salary in Nebraska by hour?
If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Nebraska is $22.16.

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