Registered Nurse Salary in Lincoln, NE — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Lincoln's cost of living (index: 87). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Registered Nurse Salary in Lincoln — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Lincoln
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Lincoln
Lincoln has a metro population of 360,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 2.6% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Lincoln
Other Professions in Lincoln
Registered Nurse Salary — Other Nebraska Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Lincoln, NE?
The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Lincoln is $74,881 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Lincoln's cost of living index (87). The typical salary range runs from $59,934 (25th percentile) to $93,690 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $115,432.
Is Lincoln affordable for a Registered Nurse?
On a $74,881 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Lincoln would spend approximately 12.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($795/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Lincoln relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $235,000 is 3.1× the annual salary.
How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Lincoln's overall income?
Lincoln's median household income is $60,800. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $74,881 earns 23.2% more than the typical Lincoln household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.