Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Nebraska: $66,680 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $66,680/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,874 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($63,540), Lincoln ($63,070), Grand Island ($61,090).
In Nebraska, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is projected to be $66,680, slightly lower than the national median of $68,071, reflecting a 2.0% difference. The highest salaries are found in Omaha, where LPNs are expected to earn $67,162, while those in North Platte will earn the lowest at $57,917, creating a salary gap of $9,245. This disparity can often be attributed to the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the availability of hospitals and clinics in metropolitan versus rural areas. Nebraska’s licensing requirements for LPNs include completion of an accredited practical nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. The scope of practice laws allow LPNs to perform basic nursing tasks, making them integral to healthcare teams. As the state anticipates a 5.70% annual growth rate in LPN positions, driven by an aging population and increased healthcare needs, job prospects appear favorable. Major cities like Lincoln ($66,665), Grand Island ($64,572), Hastings ($60,767), and Fremont ($60,438) also reflect competitive salaries, with ongoing demand likely to support job stability in these areas.
Nebraska Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $45,895 (lowest entry-level) to $83,323 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska licensed practical nurses earn 2.04% less than the national median ($-1,391/year difference).
Nebraska Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Nebraska range from $52,674 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,209 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,680. The Nebraska median is $1,391 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $32.06/hr. Approximately 2,762 licensed practical nurses are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,560
2025 BLS Actual
$63,084
2026 Current Est.
$66,680
2019–2027 Growth
+54.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,785 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,343 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,451 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,195 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,680 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,481 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.5% from $45,560 (2019) to $63,084 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,481 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,921 (54.70%) 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 5.70% 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 | $57,917 |
| Papillion | $57,936 |
| La Vista | $57,998 |
| Norfolk | $58,007 |
| Columbus | $58,161 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | $64,572 | 86.657 | $74,514 |
| Omaha | $67,162 | 91.911 | $73,073 |
| Lincoln | $66,665 | 91.581 | $72,793 |
| Hastings | $60,767 | 91.5 | $66,412 |
| Fremont | $60,438 | 91.5 | $66,052 |
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) | $52,674 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,680 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,209 |
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 | $67,162 |
| 2 | Lincoln | $66,665 |
| 3 | Grand Island | $64,572 |
| 4 | Hastings | $60,767 |
| 5 | Fremont | $60,438 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $60,312 |
| 7 | Kearney | $59,978 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $59,772 |
| 9 | Columbus | $58,161 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $58,007 |
| 11 | La Vista | $57,998 |
| 12 | Papillion | $57,936 |
| 13 | North Platte | $57,917 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Nebraska?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
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 5.70% 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 licensed practical nurse compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute 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 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