Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Omaha, NE: $32.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Omaha, NE runs $32.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,162 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Omaha's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,300 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Omaha, Nebraska, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can expect a median hourly pay of $32.29, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $32.73. This wage offers an attractive opportunity for both part-time and per-diem workers in diverse settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, physician offices, and home health visits. For those working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a consistent income while allowing the flexibility that many LPNs seek. The hourly earnings can range from $25.30 for entry-level positions to $40.06 for top earners, highlighting a competitive pay structure across various nursing environments. This information stems from estimates projected based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicating solid employment prospects for LPNs in Omaha.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.30 | $202.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.06 | $240.49 |
| Median (P50) | $32.29 | $258.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.86 | $302.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.06 | $320.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Omaha
Based on $32.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.29/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Omaha, NE can expect to earn approximately $67,166 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,750. With a cost-of-living index of 91.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Omaha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Omaha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,291.65 | $5,597 | $67,166 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $774.99 | $3,358 | $40,300 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $516.66 | $2,239 | $26,866 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Omaha) | $32.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Omaha, NE earn a median of $67,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.80% above the Nebraska state average of $62,302.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.29/hr = $40,300/year (purchasing power: $43,846).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,166/year (purchasing power: $73,077).
CoL index: 91.911 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Omaha grew 37.5% from $22.22/hr (2019) to $30.55/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.13/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Omaha 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 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Omaha
Focusing on part-time earning potential, a licensed practical nurse working a regular three-day week, averaging 24 hours, would generate approximately $40,267 annually while enjoying a better work-life balance compared to full-time counterparts. For those considering per diem opportunities, the reality often involves billing rates ranging from $28 to $42 an hour, with some agency LPNs even reaching $45 to $60 per hour at high-demand facilities. Hourly rates can fluctuate significantly based on the type of employer; for instance, skilled nursing facilities might offer competitive pay, while hospitals may present lower rates due to the prevalence of all-RN staff models. Many nurses face the trade-off between lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher pay without benefits. Transparency and negotiation skills are essential for LPNs, especially in the Omaha market, where the dynamics of licensed practical nurse hourly pay can greatly impact job satisfaction and career progression, particularly as many seek pathways to advanced nursing roles like LPN-to-RN bridge programs.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Omaha. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov