CNA Salary

North Platte vs Omaha: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between North Platte, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Platte, NE
$38,294
$18.41/hr
Omaha, NE
$42,621
$20.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Platte, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$38,294$42,621
Hourly Rate$18.41$20.49
Entry Level (P10)$33,628$40,204
25th Percentile$35,311$40,630
75th Percentile$41,765$49,831
Top Earner (P90)$44,463$52,994
Total Employed47,740
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Platte ($38,294) and Omaha ($42,621) certified nursing assistant salaries.North PlatteOmahaMedian Salary$38,294$42,621Entry Level (P10)$33,628$40,204Top Earner (P90)$44,463$52,994US Median $45,007

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Platte.

The salary gap between North Platte and Omaha is $4,327 (11.30%). Omaha's median is -5.30% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Platte spans $10,835,Omaha spans $12,790. Omaha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

North Platte
P10 (Entry)$33,628
P25$35,311
Median$38,294
P75$41,765
P90 (Top)$44,463
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$40,204
P25$40,630
Median$42,621
P75$49,831
P90 (Top)$52,994

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($46,372 effective) pays 10.80% more than North Platte ($41,851 effective).

North Platte
Nominal: $38,294
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $41,851
Omaha
Nominal: $42,621
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $46,372

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Platte if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,621/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,994)
  • Larger job market (7,740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,372)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in North Platte grew 24.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Omaha over the same period.

North Platte, NE

+24.3%

$28,929 (2024) → $35,957 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+33.2%

$30,040 (2019) → $40,020 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: North Platte or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $42,621/year, compared to North Platte at $38,294/year — a difference of $4,327 (11.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Platte and Omaha?

North Platte certified nursing assistants earn $18.41/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $20.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Platte to Omaha as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Platte and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Platte = $41,851, Omaha = $46,372), job availability (4 vs 7,740 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in North Platte vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $33,628 in North Platte and $40,204 in Omaha. The Omaha area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov