Registered Nurse Salary in Lincoln, NE (2026)
Median Registered Nurse salary in Lincoln is approximately $76,500/year — 11.0% below the US national average.
Salary breakdown — Lincoln
After-tax estimate
| City | Cost mult. | Estimated annual | vs Lincoln |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN | 0.89× | $76,500 | +$0 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 0.89× | $76,500 | +$0 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 0.90× | $77,400 | +$900 |
| Louisville, KY | 0.90× | $77,400 | +$900 |
| Birmingham, AL | 0.88× | $75,700 | -$800 |
Registered Nurse salaries in Lincoln, NE
The estimated median Registered Nurse salary in Lincoln, Nebraska is $76,500/year, working out to approximately $37/hour at full-time, $2,942 per biweekly paycheck, or $6,375/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 ($78,300), Lincoln pays about $1,800 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 $76,500, you take home roughly $56,113 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 $4,676/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
Registered Nurse 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.