Mechanical Engineer Salary in Nebraska: $97,313 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median mechanical engineer pay sits at $97,313/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2141. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $106,353 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lincoln ($100,360), Omaha ($93,180), Grand Island ($92,984).
In 2026, the average median salary for mechanical engineers in Nebraska is projected to be $97,313, which is 9.2% lower than the national median of $107,150. Within the state, Lincoln offers the highest salary at $103,291, while North Platte has the lowest at $91,169, creating a salary gap of $12,122. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including the concentration of engineering firms, local cost of living, and specific industry demands in these cities. In Nebraska, mechanical engineers must adhere to state licensing requirements and practice laws that define their scope of work, influencing job opportunities. The demand for mechanical engineers is driven by the state's diverse industries, including manufacturing and agriculture, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 2.92% in employment. The overall job market for mechanical engineers in Nebraska remains stable, with a total of 726 professionals currently employed across the state. Other notable cities include Omaha at $95,901, Grand Island at $95,699, Hastings at $95,653, and Fremont at $95,135, all reflecting relatively close salary levels compared to Lincoln. The employment outlook remains positive, supported by ongoing needs in engineering across various sectors.
Nebraska Mechanical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $61,546 (lowest entry-level) to $175,448 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska mechanical engineers earn 9.18% less than the national median ($-9,837/year difference).
Nebraska Mechanical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Mechanical Engineer salaries in Nebraska range from $64,269 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $147,552 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $97,313. The Nebraska median is $9,837 below the US national median of $107,150. The average hourly rate is $46.79/hr. Approximately 726 mechanical engineers are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$77,552
2025 BLS Actual
$94,552
2026 Current Est.
$97,313
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,552 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,162 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,308 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,008 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,753 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,222 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,552 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,313 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,154 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 21.9% from $77,552 (2019) to $94,552 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,154 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,602 (29.14%) 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 2.92% 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 | $91,169 |
| Papillion | $91,197 |
| La Vista | $91,294 |
| Norfolk | $91,309 |
| Columbus | $91,551 |
Best Value Cities for Mechanical Engineers in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for mechanical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $103,291 | 91.581 | $112,786 |
| Grand Island | $95,699 | 91.5 | $104,589 |
| Hastings | $95,653 | 91.5 | $104,539 |
| Omaha | $95,901 | 91.911 | $104,341 |
| Fremont | $95,135 | 91.5 | $103,973 |
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) | $64,269 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $97,313 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $147,552 |
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 | $103,291 |
| 2 | Omaha | $95,901 |
| 3 | Grand Island | $95,699 |
| 4 | Hastings | $95,653 |
| 5 | Fremont | $95,135 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $94,939 |
| 7 | Kearney | $94,413 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $94,088 |
| 9 | Columbus | $91,551 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $91,309 |
| 11 | La Vista | $91,294 |
| 12 | Papillion | $91,197 |
| 13 | North Platte | $91,169 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore mechanical engineer hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced mechanical engineers.
Explore More Mechanical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for mechanical engineers in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska mechanical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level mechanical engineer salary in Nebraska?
How many mechanical engineers are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska city offers the best value for mechanical engineers?
Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
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 2.92% 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 mechanical engineer compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more mechanical engineerscontribute 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 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov