Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Nebraska: $268,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $268,955/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $293,940 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($271,680), Lincoln ($216,030), Grand Island ($211,306).
Nurse anesthetists in Nebraska can expect a projected average median salary of $268,955 in 2026, which is higher than the national median of $248,893 by 8.1%. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Omaha offering the highest average salary at $285,807, while North Platte has the lowest at $211,770, creating a gap of $73,037. This disparity is primarily driven by the concentration of healthcare facilities and demand for specialized anesthesia services in urban areas like Omaha compared to more rural locations. Nebraska's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws allow nurse anesthetists significant autonomy in their practice, contributing to the high demand for their skills. Factors such as population growth, an aging demographic, and advancements in surgical technologies further drive this demand across the state. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.20%, the job market for nurse anesthetists in Nebraska is favorable. Key cities like Lincoln, Grand Island, Hastings, and Fremont also present competitive salaries, ranging from $220,984 to $227,264, indicating solid opportunities for career advancement in various regions of the state.
Nebraska Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $141,344 (lowest entry-level) to $339,849 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska nurse anesthetists earn 8.06% more than the national median (+$20,062/year difference).
Nebraska Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Nebraska range from $212,654 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $331,195 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $268,955. The Nebraska median is $20,062 above the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $129.31/hr. Approximately 306 nurse anesthetists are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$174,400
2025 BLS Actual
$255,661
2026 Current Est.
$268,955
2019–2027 Growth
+62.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $174,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $179,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $211,378 | Actual |
| 2022 | $223,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $209,082 | Actual |
| 2024 | $209,859 | Actual |
| 2025 | $255,661 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $268,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $282,941 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 46.6% from $174,400 (2019) to $255,661 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $282,941 by 2027 — a total increase of $108,541 (62.24%) 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 5.20% 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 | $211,770 |
| Papillion | $211,838 |
| La Vista | $212,060 |
| Norfolk | $212,095 |
| Columbus | $212,660 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $285,807 | 91.911 | $310,961 |
| Lincoln | $227,264 | 91.581 | $248,156 |
| Grand Island | $222,294 | 91.5 | $242,944 |
| Hastings | $222,187 | 91.5 | $242,827 |
| Fremont | $220,984 | 91.5 | $241,513 |
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) | $212,654 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $268,955 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $331,195 |
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 | $285,807 |
| 2 | Lincoln | $227,264 |
| 3 | Grand Island | $222,294 |
| 4 | Hastings | $222,187 |
| 5 | Fremont | $220,984 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $220,527 |
| 7 | Kearney | $219,305 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $218,551 |
| 9 | Columbus | $212,660 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $212,095 |
| 11 | La Vista | $212,060 |
| 12 | Papillion | $211,838 |
| 13 | North Platte | $211,770 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Nebraska?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
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.
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 5.20% 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 nurse anesthetist compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute 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, 6-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 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov