Registered Nurse salary in Lincoln, NE
Registered Nurses in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $87,530 a year ($42.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,010 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 3% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $84,730. There are 23 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,730, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,280 | $30.90 |
| 25th percentile | $78,530 | $37.75 |
| Median | $87,530 | $42.08 |
| 75th percentile | $93,560 | $44.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,010 | $50.00 |
| Average (mean) | $86,730 | $41.70 |
Half of registered nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,294.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,647.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,366.54 |
| Weekly | $1,683.27 |
| Hourly | $42.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $84,600 | 13,200 |
| Grand Island, NE | $82,590 | 830 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $75,840 | 1,600 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Pharmacist | $149,590 | $71.92 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,440 | $59.83 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,050 | $61.56 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,100 | $45.72 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,320 | $46.31 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $91,860 | $44.16 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $209,990 | $100.96 |
| Physicians, All Other | $326,620 | $157.03 |
| Dentists, General | $204,530 | $98.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,590 | $39.22 |
| Veterinarian | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Chiropractor | $85,220 | $40.97 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,910 | $32.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $87,530 a year, or $42.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $104,010 a year. The top 25% earn $93,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,280 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $78,530 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Lincoln, NE?
About 4,200 registered nurses are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.