Police Officer Salary in Nebraska: $84,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $84,765/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $92,639 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lincoln ($93,680), Omaha ($80,280), Grand Island ($73,710).
In Nebraska, police officer salaries are projected to average $84,765 in 2026, which is 7.9% above the national median of $78,542. Salary variation exists among cities; for instance, Lincoln ranks as the highest paying city at $96,547, while North Platte is the lowest at $66,827, resulting in a pay gap of $29,720. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local funding for law enforcement, and crime rates, which can vary significantly between urban and rural communities. In Nebraska, police officers typically must complete state-specific training and adhere to licensing regulations to serve effectively. This includes fulfilling requirements for continuing education and training, which can influence hiring practices and salary potential. The demand for police officers is expected to grow, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 3.06%. This growth is driven by increasing population and community needs for public safety. For those considering a career in law enforcement in Nebraska, understanding local market dynamics is crucial. Major cities like Omaha offer salaries around $82,737, while smaller cities like Hastings and Fremont show salaries of $70,114 and $69,735, respectively. Overall, the job market for police officers in Nebraska appears stable, providing opportunities for both new recruits and experienced professionals.
Nebraska Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $42,245 (lowest entry-level) to $106,473 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska police officers earn 7.92% more than the national median (+$6,223/year difference).
Nebraska Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Nebraska range from $64,121 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,575 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $84,765. The Nebraska median is $6,223 above the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $40.76/hr. Approximately 2,402 police officers are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,591
2025 BLS Actual
$82,248
2026 Current Est.
$84,765
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,365 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,655 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,904 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,254 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,801 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,248 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,359 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 21.7% from $67,591 (2019) to $82,248 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,359 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,768 (29.25%) 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 3.06% 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 | $66,827 |
| Papillion | $66,849 |
| La Vista | $66,919 |
| Norfolk | $66,929 |
| Columbus | $67,108 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $96,547 | 91.581 | $105,423 |
| Omaha | $82,737 | 91.911 | $90,019 |
| Grand Island | $75,966 | 86.657 | $87,663 |
| Hastings | $70,114 | 91.5 | $76,627 |
| Fremont | $69,735 | 91.5 | $76,213 |
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) | $64,121 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $84,765 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,575 |
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 | Lincoln | $96,547 |
| 2 | Omaha | $82,737 |
| 3 | Grand Island | $75,966 |
| 4 | Hastings | $70,114 |
| 5 | Fremont | $69,735 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $69,590 |
| 7 | Kearney | $69,205 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $68,967 |
| 9 | Columbus | $67,108 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $66,929 |
| 11 | La Vista | $66,919 |
| 12 | Papillion | $66,849 |
| 13 | North Platte | $66,827 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Nebraska?
How many police officers are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska city offers the best value for police officers?
Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
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 3.06% 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 police officer compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute 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, 7-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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov