Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Omaha, NE: $67,162 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Omaha, NE earns a median $67,162/year (≈ $32.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Omaha's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $73,073 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nursing positions in Omaha, Nebraska, offer a median annual salary of $67,162, slightly below the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in the area varies significantly, with entry-level salaries starting at about $52,639 and experienced professionals earning up to $83,323. These figures are drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys published in 2025. With a rising demand for healthcare professionals, especially in long-term care settings that often offer shift differentials and weekend pay to attract talent, the job market for LPNs in Omaha shows strong potential for growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,639 | $25.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,532 | $30.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,162 | $32.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,747 | $37.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,323 | $40.06 |
Median Salary Position
1.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Omaha
In Omaha, NE, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,684 (2026 est.). At $67,162, the local median is 1.34% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Omaha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Omaha Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Omaha median: $67,162/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Omaha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $62,302 | +7.80% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -1.34% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Omaha has a cost of living 8.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Omaha, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.911 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $67,162 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,073 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,210
2025 BLS Actual
$63,540
2026 Current Est.
$67,162
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,162 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,990 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Omaha metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.5% from $46,210 (2019) to $63,540 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,990 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,780 (53.62%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,639 – $62,532 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,532 – $67,162 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,162 – $78,747 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,747 – $83,323 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Omaha
The employment landscape for licensed practical nurses in Omaha comprises approximately 1,840 individuals, demonstrating a robust demand that aligns with the city's lower cost-of-living index of 91.911. This affordability allows LPNs to enjoy a relatively strong purchasing power. Most LPNs find competitive pay within skilled nursing facilities, where the demand for hands-on care is highest, while roles in home health agencies and physician offices may yield lower salaries. The variation in compensation often depends on factors such as the work setting, additional certifications like IV therapy, and shift incentives. For those aiming to maximize their licensed practical nurse pay in Omaha, pursuing roles in urgent need areas such as long-term care and attaining relevant certifications are effective strategies for career advancement and financial gain.
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,540 for licensed practical nursesin the Omaha metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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