Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Omaha, NE: $42,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Omaha, NE earns a median $42,621/year (≈ $20.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Omaha's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $46,372 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a certified nursing assistant in Omaha, NE, the financial outlook appears promising. In 2026, the projected median annual salary is $42,621, which reflects a competitive position in the market when compared to the national median of $45,007. The salary range spans from $40,204 at the 10th percentile to $52,994 at the 90th percentile, providing significant opportunities for advancement. This earning potential is vital for many CNAs, as they often use this position as a stepping stone towards higher certifications like Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN), which can radically boost their salaries and scope of practice. These numbers are derived from comprehensive surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), giving prospective CNAs a reliable insight into the local earnings landscape as they embark on their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,204 | $19.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,630 | $19.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,621 | $20.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,831 | $23.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,994 | $25.47 |
Median Salary Position
5.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Omaha
In Omaha, NE, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,790 (2026 est.). At $42,621, the local median is 5.3% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Omaha: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Omaha Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Omaha median: $42,621/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Omaha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $41,180 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -5.30% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Omaha, NE earn a median of $42,621 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 3.50% above the Nebraska state average of $41,180.
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 certified nursing assistant earning $42,621 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,372 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,040
2025 BLS Actual
$40,020
2026 Current Est.
$42,621
2019–2027 Growth
+51.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Omaha metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 33.2% from $30,040 (2019) to $40,020 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,352 (51.11%) 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 6.50% 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) | $40,204 – $40,630 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,630 – $42,621 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,621 – $49,831 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,831 – $52,994 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Omaha
Omaha's job market, with approximately 7,740 certified nursing assistants currently employed, suggests healthy demand for this role. The cost of living index stands at 91.911, indicating that housing and other expenses are lower than the national average, enhancing the take-home purchasing power for those in the field. Among the various employers in Omaha, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest salaries; however, hospitals, home health agencies, and specialized rehabilitation centers also provide competitive pay. Factors influencing the salary spectrum include shift differentials, where night shifts can garner an additional $2-4 per hour, and weekend work may earn a premium of $1-3. With increased competition for staffing and ongoing shortages post-COVID, CNAs can maximize their earnings by seeking agency roles, taking bonus opportunities, or pursuing certification such as Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). Exploring these avenues can lead to rewarding financial outcomes for nursing assistants in Omaha’s evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $40,020 for certified nursing assistantsin the Omaha metropolitan area. A 6.50% 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 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