Jobs that actually got a raise in Nebraska

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in Nebraska run 9.9% below the national average (2024), so a Nebraska salary is worth about 1.11× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Nebraska.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Nebraska

OccupationMedian, Nebraska · Real change since 2019

1Operations Research Analysts$98,300
Bachelor's degree
$60,550 – $149,760+59.4%+100.7% nominal
2Psychiatric Technicians$57,370
Postsecondary nondegree award
$39,490 – $62,000+54.2%+94.2% nominal
3Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$88,610
High school diploma or equivalent
$67,020 – $103,980+47.2%+85.3% nominal
4Coaches and Scouts$47,810
Bachelor's degree
$28,940 – $94,920+37.8%+73.5% nominal
5Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,960
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,120 – $60,280+34.8%+69.8% nominal
6Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$44,130
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,300 – $51,420+34.8%+69.7% nominal
7Production Workers, All Other$42,980
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,260 – $64,290+32.5%+66.8% nominal
8First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$80,490
High school diploma or equivalent
$60,930 – $105,020+30.2%+64.0% nominal
9Waiters and Waitresses$33,770
No formal educational credential
$28,080 – $59,420+30.0%+63.7% nominal
10Correctional Officers and Jailers$63,380
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,630 – $78,270+30.0%+63.6% nominal
11Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$49,190
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,340 – $49,190+27.2%+60.2% nominal
12Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products$45,560
No formal educational credential
$34,780 – $62,930+24.6%+56.9% nominal
13Dentists, General$179,750
Doctoral or professional degree
$68,040 – $265,940+23.8%+56.0% nominal
14Structural Iron and Steel Workers$65,470
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,160 – $79,040+23.4%+55.4% nominal
15Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$46,810
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,600 – $52,560+20.9%+52.2% nominal
16Amusement and Recreation Attendants$30,110
No formal educational credential
$28,080 – $38,970+20.5%+51.7% nominal
17Slaughterers and Meat Packers$48,910
No formal educational credential
$40,590 – $55,310+19.9%+51.1% nominal
18Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$39,650
Bachelor's degree
$28,080 – $69,680+19.8%+50.9% nominal
19Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$84,400
Bachelor's degree
$39,990 – $146,410+19.2%+50.2% nominal
20Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$49,390
No formal educational credential
$37,210 – $59,400+17.7%+48.2% nominal
21Packers and Packagers, Hand$38,880
No formal educational credential
$28,870 – $49,500+17.5%+48.0% nominal
22Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$30,690
No formal educational credential
$28,080 – $39,900+16.8%+47.1% nominal
23Bartenders$30,180
No formal educational credential
$28,080 – $60,140+16.7%+46.9% nominal
24Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$80,970
Doctoral or professional degree
$52,330 – $111,020+16.4%+46.5% nominal
25Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$63,460
Bachelor's degree
$42,540 – $81,370+16.2%+46.4% nominal
26Order Clerks$44,060
Some college, no degree
$35,880 – $59,810+15.9%+45.9% nominal
27Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$57,280
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,210 – $66,540+15.5%+45.5% nominal
28Cooks, Fast Food$30,430
No formal educational credential
$28,080 – $36,910+14.4%+44.0% nominal
29Respiratory Therapists$81,590
Associate's degree
$64,100 – $96,180+14.0%+43.6% nominal
30Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52,360
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,620 – $61,480+13.7%+43.2% nominal
31Chefs and Head Cooks$60,510
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,650 – $99,990+13.7%+43.2% nominal
32Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$43,410
No formal educational credential
$37,770 – $58,330+13.4%+42.8% nominal
33Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$82,560
Bachelor's degree
$50,300 – $203,600+12.9%+42.1% nominal
34Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$34,320
Postsecondary nondegree award
$28,080 – $73,740+12.5%+41.7% nominal
35Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34,170
No formal educational credential
$28,320 – $40,900+12.4%+41.5% nominal
36Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$46,220
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,450 – $59,560+11.9%+41.0% nominal
37Fundraisers$68,030
Bachelor's degree
$46,090 – $102,100+11.7%+40.6% nominal
38Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$62,660
Postsecondary nondegree award
$50,890 – $77,940+11.6%+40.6% nominal
39Interior Designers$64,870
Bachelor's degree
$43,840 – $100,200+11.5%+40.4% nominal
40Optometrists$125,040
Doctoral or professional degree
$65,170 – $205,450+11.4%+40.2% nominal
41Medical Assistants$47,370
Postsecondary nondegree award
$37,940 – $59,450+11.4%+40.3% nominal
42Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36,150
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,670 – $43,680+11.4%+40.3% nominal
43Soil and Plant Scientists$77,500
Bachelor's degree
$40,030 – $121,060+11.3%+40.1% nominal
44Painters, Construction and Maintenance$47,280
No formal educational credential
$33,410 – $57,990+11.2%+40.0% nominal
45Food Preparation Workers$35,210
No formal educational credential
$28,740 – $42,560+10.9%+39.6% nominal
46Floral Designers$35,930
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,080 – $46,350+10.7%+39.4% nominal
47Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,050
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,620 – $61,100+10.7%+39.4% nominal
48Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$66,210
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,570 – $94,690+10.6%+39.3% nominal
49Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$34,790
No formal educational credential
$29,910 – $43,990+10.6%+39.3% nominal
50Financial Managers$140,360
Bachelor's degree
$89,990 – $227,640+10.4%+39.0% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianNebraska	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Operations Research AnalystsBachelor's degree	$98,300	$60,550 – $149,760	+59.4%+100.7% nominal
2	Psychiatric TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$57,370	$39,490 – $62,000	+54.2%+94.2% nominal
3	Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical DoorHigh school diploma or equivalent	$88,610	$67,020 – $103,980	+47.2%+85.3% nominal
4	Coaches and ScoutsBachelor's degree	$47,810	$28,940 – $94,920	+37.8%+73.5% nominal
5	Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50,960	$38,120 – $60,280	+34.8%+69.8% nominal
6	Interviewers, Except Eligibility and LoanHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,130	$37,300 – $51,420	+34.8%+69.7% nominal
7	Production Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$42,980	$31,260 – $64,290	+32.5%+66.8% nominal
8	First-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$80,490	$60,930 – $105,020	+30.2%+64.0% nominal
9	Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential	$33,770	$28,080 – $59,420	+30.0%+63.7% nominal
10	Correctional Officers and JailersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,380	$47,630 – $78,270	+30.0%+63.6% nominal
11	Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,190	$39,340 – $49,190	+27.2%+60.2% nominal
12	Graders and Sorters, Agricultural ProductsNo formal educational credential	$45,560	$34,780 – $62,930	+24.6%+56.9% nominal
13	Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree	$179,750	$68,040 – $265,940	+23.8%+56.0% nominal
14	Structural Iron and Steel WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$65,470	$48,160 – $79,040	+23.4%+55.4% nominal
15	Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and FinishersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,810	$35,600 – $52,560	+20.9%+52.2% nominal
16	Amusement and Recreation AttendantsNo formal educational credential	$30,110	$28,080 – $38,970	+20.5%+51.7% nominal
17	Slaughterers and Meat PackersNo formal educational credential	$48,910	$40,590 – $55,310	+19.9%+51.1% nominal
18	Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree	$39,650	$28,080 – $69,680	+19.8%+50.9% nominal
19	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree	$84,400	$39,990 – $146,410	+19.2%+50.2% nominal
20	Refuse and Recyclable Material CollectorsNo formal educational credential	$49,390	$37,210 – $59,400	+17.7%+48.2% nominal
21	Packers and Packagers, HandNo formal educational credential	$38,880	$28,870 – $49,500	+17.5%+48.0% nominal
22	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersNo formal educational credential	$30,690	$28,080 – $39,900	+16.8%+47.1% nominal
23	BartendersNo formal educational credential	$30,180	$28,080 – $60,140	+16.7%+46.9% nominal
24	Medical Scientists, Except EpidemiologistsDoctoral or professional degree	$80,970	$52,330 – $111,020	+16.4%+46.5% nominal
25	Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$63,460	$42,540 – $81,370	+16.2%+46.4% nominal
26	Order ClerksSome college, no degree	$44,060	$35,880 – $59,810	+15.9%+45.9% nominal
27	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57,280	$48,210 – $66,540	+15.5%+45.5% nominal
28	Cooks, Fast FoodNo formal educational credential	$30,430	$28,080 – $36,910	+14.4%+44.0% nominal
29	Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree	$81,590	$64,100 – $96,180	+14.0%+43.6% nominal
30	Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$52,360	$39,620 – $61,480	+13.7%+43.2% nominal
31	Chefs and Head CooksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,510	$39,650 – $99,990	+13.7%+43.2% nominal
32	Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and TendersNo formal educational credential	$43,410	$37,770 – $58,330	+13.4%+42.8% nominal
33	Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsBachelor's degree	$82,560	$50,300 – $203,600	+12.9%+42.1% nominal
34	Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$34,320	$28,080 – $73,740	+12.5%+41.7% nominal
35	Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$34,170	$28,320 – $40,900	+12.4%+41.5% nominal
36	Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,220	$35,450 – $59,560	+11.9%+41.0% nominal
37	FundraisersBachelor's degree	$68,030	$46,090 – $102,100	+11.7%+40.6% nominal
38	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$62,660	$50,890 – $77,940	+11.6%+40.6% nominal
39	Interior DesignersBachelor's degree	$64,870	$43,840 – $100,200	+11.5%+40.4% nominal
40	OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree	$125,040	$65,170 – $205,450	+11.4%+40.2% nominal
41	Medical AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$47,370	$37,940 – $59,450	+11.4%+40.3% nominal
42	Home Health and Personal Care AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,150	$30,670 – $43,680	+11.4%+40.3% nominal
43	Soil and Plant ScientistsBachelor's degree	$77,500	$40,030 – $121,060	+11.3%+40.1% nominal
44	Painters, Construction and MaintenanceNo formal educational credential	$47,280	$33,410 – $57,990	+11.2%+40.0% nominal
45	Food Preparation WorkersNo formal educational credential	$35,210	$28,740 – $42,560	+10.9%+39.6% nominal
46	Floral DesignersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35,930	$28,080 – $46,350	+10.7%+39.4% nominal
47	Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,050	$38,620 – $61,100	+10.7%+39.4% nominal
48	Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$66,210	$48,570 – $94,690	+10.6%+39.3% nominal
49	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersNo formal educational credential	$34,790	$29,910 – $43,990	+10.6%+39.3% nominal
50	Financial ManagersBachelor's degree	$140,360	$89,990 – $227,640	+10.4%+39.0% nominal

More for Nebraska

Metro areas in Nebraska

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Nebraska

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Nebraska to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in Nebraska

More for Nebraska

Metro areas in Nebraska

By field in Nebraska

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state