Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Nebraska: $42,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $42,189/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $46,108 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($40,020), Grand Island ($38,880), Lincoln ($38,650).
In Nebraska, the projected average median salary for certified nursing assistants in 2026 is $42,189, which is approximately 6.3% lower than the national median of $45,007. Among the state's metro areas, Omaha offers the highest salary at $42,621, while North Platte presents the lowest at $38,294. This salary gap of $4,327 can largely be attributed to the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the presence of larger healthcare facilities in urban areas compared to rural settings. Nebraska has specific licensing requirements for certified nursing assistants, including completion of a state-approved training program and passing a competency exam. The scope of practice laws in the state allow CNAs to perform a variety of patient-centered tasks, which is crucial in meeting the demands of Nebraska's aging population. This demand is expected to drive an annual growth rate of 6.50% in the job market for CNAs. With a total of 11,022 employed CNAs in 2026, cities such as Grand Island ($41,407), Lincoln ($41,162), Hastings ($40,178), and Fremont ($39,960) reflect diverse opportunities across the state. Overall, the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Nebraska is positive, influenced by population trends and healthcare needs.
Nebraska Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $31,611 (lowest entry-level) to $52,994 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska certified nursing assistants earn 6.26% less than the national median ($-2,818/year difference).
Nebraska Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Nebraska range from $39,926 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $52,511 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $42,189. The Nebraska median is $2,818 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $20.28/hr. Approximately 11,022 certified nursing assistants are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,852
2025 BLS Actual
$39,614
2026 Current Est.
$42,189
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,852 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,214 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,034 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,459 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,549 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,614 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,931 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 32.7% from $29,852 (2019) to $39,614 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,931 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,079 (50.51%) 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 6.50% 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 | $38,294 |
| Papillion | $38,306 |
| La Vista | $38,346 |
| Norfolk | $38,353 |
| Columbus | $38,455 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | $41,407 | 86.657 | $47,783 |
| Omaha | $42,621 | 91.911 | $46,372 |
| Lincoln | $41,162 | 91.581 | $44,946 |
| Hastings | $40,178 | 91.5 | $43,910 |
| Fremont | $39,960 | 91.5 | $43,672 |
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) | $39,926 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $42,189 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $52,511 |
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 | $42,621 |
| 2 | Grand Island | $41,407 |
| 3 | Lincoln | $41,162 |
| 4 | Hastings | $40,178 |
| 5 | Fremont | $39,960 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $39,878 |
| 7 | Kearney | $39,656 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $39,520 |
| 9 | Columbus | $38,455 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $38,353 |
| 11 | La Vista | $38,346 |
| 12 | Papillion | $38,306 |
| 13 | North Platte | $38,294 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Nebraska?
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Which Nebraska city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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.
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 6.50% 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 certified nursing assistant compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute 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 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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