Public Safety · Lincoln, NE

Police Officer Salary in Lincoln, NE (2026)

Median Police Officer salary in Lincoln is approximately $61,400/year — 11.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Lincoln

$61,400
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$30
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,362
Monthly
$5,117
Annual (gross)
$61,400
vs Nebraska state average
State avg: $62,800
-$1,400
vs US national
National median: $69,000
-$7,600

After-tax estimate

$45,037
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$61,400
Federal tax (~14%)
−$8,596
FICA (7.65%)
−$4,697
Nebraska state tax
~5% effective
−$3,070
Estimated take-home
$45,037
Monthly take-home
$3,753
For exact take-home, use our Lincoln Paycheck Calculator.
Police Officer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Lincoln
Memphis, TN0.89×$61,400+$0
Oklahoma City, OK0.89×$61,400+$0
Indianapolis, IN0.90×$62,100+$700
Louisville, KY0.90×$62,100+$700
Birmingham, AL0.88×$60,700-$700
Other Public Safety jobs in Lincoln

Police Officer salaries in Lincoln, NE

The estimated median Police Officer salary in Lincoln, Nebraska is $61,400/year, working out to approximately $30/hour at full-time, $2,362 per biweekly paycheck, or $5,117/month before taxes. Lincoln's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.89× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Nebraska state average for this role ($62,800), Lincoln pays about $1,400 less. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Lincoln

Of the gross $61,400, you take home roughly $45,037 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Nebraska state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Lincoln has no local income tax

That works out to about $3,753/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Lincoln Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Lincoln pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Lincoln typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Lincoln employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Police Officer Salary in Nebraska — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Lincoln Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Police Officer salary in Lincoln?
The estimated median Police Officer salary in Lincoln, Nebraska is $61,400 per year, or approximately $30/hour at standard full-time. Lincoln sits 11.0% below the US national average for this role.
Lincoln vs Nebraska state — what's the salary difference?
Lincoln: $61,400. Nebraska state average for Police Officer: $62,800. Difference: -$1,400 (2.2%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Lincoln have a city income tax?
No, Lincoln has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Nebraska state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Lincoln's cost of living relative to the US average. Lincoln's multiplier is 0.89× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Police Officer in Lincoln?
Estimate: $45,037/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Nebraska state tax (~5.0% effective), and Lincoln local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Lincoln Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.