Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Lincoln vs Omaha: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lincoln, NE
$227,264
$109.26/hr
Omaha, NE
$285,807
$137.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLincoln, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$227,264$285,807
Hourly Rate$109.26$137.41
Entry Level (P10)$198,355$233,355
25th Percentile$198,365$250,976
75th Percentile$227,264$313,107
Top Earner (P90)$231,408$339,849
Total EmployedN/A230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lincoln ($227,264) and Omaha ($285,807) nurse anesthetist salaries.LincolnOmahaMedian Salary$227,264$285,807Entry Level (P10)$198,355$233,355Top Earner (P90)$231,408$339,849US Median $248,893

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lincoln.

The salary gap between Lincoln and Omaha is $58,543 (25.76%). Omaha's median is +14.83% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lincoln spans $33,053,Omaha spans $106,494. Omaha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Lincoln
P10 (Entry)$198,355
P25$198,365
Median$227,264
P75$227,264
P90 (Top)$231,408
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$233,355
P25$250,976
Median$285,807
P75$313,107
P90 (Top)$339,849

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($310,961 effective) pays 25.31% more than Lincoln ($248,156 effective).

Lincoln
Nominal: $227,264
CoL Index: 91.581
Adjusted: $248,156
Omaha
Nominal: $285,807
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $310,961

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lincoln if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($285,807/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($339,849)
  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $310,961)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Lincoln grew 8.0% from 2022 to 2025, compared to 55.8% growth in Omaha over the same period.

Lincoln, NE

+8.0%

$199,960 (2022) → $216,030 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+55.8%

$174,400 (2019) → $271,680 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Lincoln or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $285,807/year, compared to Lincoln at $227,264/year — a difference of $58,543 (25.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lincoln and Omaha?

Lincoln nurse anesthetists earn $109.26/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $137.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lincoln to Omaha as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lincoln and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lincoln = $248,156, Omaha = $310,961), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Lincoln vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $198,355 in Lincoln and $233,355 in Omaha. The Omaha area offers higher starting salaries.
AJ

Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA

Career Analyst

Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.20% 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 Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov