Elementary School Teacher Salary in Nebraska: $63,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $63,166/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,034 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Grand Island ($64,530), Omaha ($62,670), Lincoln ($61,940).
In Nebraska, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is projected to be $63,166, which is slightly below the national median of $64,597, reflecting a difference of -2.2%. Salary variations exist across the state, with Grand Island offering the highest average at $65,162, while North Platte has the lowest at $54,962. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for teachers in those regions, and local district funding levels. Nebraska requires its educators to hold specific teaching licenses and adhere to state laws that outline scope of practice, impacting qualification standards and market supply. The job market for elementary school teachers in Nebraska is showing a steady growth rate of 0.98%, suggesting ongoing demand for educators to fill new and existing positions. The top five cities projected for 2026 salaries include Omaha at $63,284 and Lincoln at $62,547, offering competitive salaries reflective of their urban environments and educational needs. Overall, while salaries may not surpass national averages, the demand for elementary teachers in Nebraska indicates a stable job outlook, providing opportunities for prospective educators in the state.
Nebraska Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $40,947 (lowest entry-level) to $89,381 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska elementary school teachers earn 2.22% less than the national median ($-1,431/year difference).
Nebraska Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Nebraska range from $50,552 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,749 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,166. The Nebraska median is $1,431 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $30.37/hr. Approximately 5,692 elementary school teachers are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,129
2025 BLS Actual
$62,553
2026 Current Est.
$63,166
2019–2027 Growth
+6.1%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,129 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,386 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,261 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,631 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,609 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,553 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 4.0% from $60,129 (2019) to $62,553 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,656 (6.08%) 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 0.98% 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 | $54,962 |
| Papillion | $54,981 |
| La Vista | $55,038 |
| Norfolk | $55,047 |
| Columbus | $55,194 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | $65,162 | 86.657 | $75,195 |
| Omaha | $63,284 | 91.911 | $68,854 |
| Lincoln | $62,547 | 91.581 | $68,297 |
| Hastings | $57,666 | 91.5 | $63,023 |
| Fremont | $57,354 | 91.5 | $62,682 |
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) | $50,552 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,166 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,749 |
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 | Grand Island | $65,162 |
| 2 | Omaha | $63,284 |
| 3 | Lincoln | $62,547 |
| 4 | Hastings | $57,666 |
| 5 | Fremont | $57,354 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $57,235 |
| 7 | Kearney | $56,918 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $56,722 |
| 9 | Columbus | $55,194 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $55,047 |
| 11 | La Vista | $55,038 |
| 12 | Papillion | $54,981 |
| 13 | North Platte | $54,962 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Nebraska elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
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Which Nebraska city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
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 0.98% 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 elementary school teacher compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute 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 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov