Pharmacist Salary in Nebraska: $145,076 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $145,076/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $158,553 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lincoln ($149,590), Omaha ($141,830), Grand Island ($134,520).
In 2026, the average median salary for pharmacists in Nebraska is projected to be $145,075, slightly above the national median of $143,489, reflecting a 1.1% advantage. Lincoln leads the state with the highest salary at $152,327, while North Platte has the lowest at $122,087, creating a notable gap of $30,240. This disparity can be attributed to local demand, cost of living variations, and the size of healthcare facilities in these areas. Nebraska's state licensing requirements for pharmacists are standard within the U.S., necessitating a Pharm.D. and passing the NAPLEX and MPJE exams. Scope of practice laws allow for expanded roles, including immunizations and medication therapy management, enhancing job opportunities and the overall demand for pharmacists. With a projected growth rate of 1.83%, the job market for pharmacists remains stable. Key urban areas like Omaha and Grand Island anticipate salaries of $144,425 and $136,982, respectively, reflecting the alignment of healthcare services with population growth and healthcare needs. Overall, Nebraska's strong healthcare infrastructure supports a positive outlook for aspiring pharmacists, complemented by competitive salary projections across the state's cities.
Nebraska Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $57,157 (lowest entry-level) to $176,023 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska pharmacists earn 1.11% more than the national median (+$1,587/year difference).
Nebraska Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in Nebraska range from $73,091 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $171,170 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $145,076. The Nebraska median is $1,587 above the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $69.75/hr. Approximately 1,852 pharmacists are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$120,324
2025 BLS Actual
$142,468
2026 Current Est.
$145,076
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,324 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,655 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,934 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,475 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,765 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,468 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,076 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,730 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 18.4% from $120,324 (2019) to $142,468 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,730 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,406 (22.78%) 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 1.83% 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 | $122,087 |
| Papillion | $122,127 |
| La Vista | $122,255 |
| Norfolk | $122,274 |
| Columbus | $122,600 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $152,327 | 91.581 | $166,330 |
| Grand Island | $136,982 | 86.657 | $158,074 |
| Omaha | $144,425 | 91.911 | $157,136 |
| Hastings | $128,092 | 91.5 | $139,991 |
| Fremont | $127,400 | 91.5 | $139,235 |
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) | $73,091 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $145,076 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $171,170 |
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 | $152,327 |
| 2 | Omaha | $144,425 |
| 3 | Grand Island | $136,982 |
| 4 | Hastings | $128,092 |
| 5 | Fremont | $127,400 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $127,136 |
| 7 | Kearney | $126,432 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $125,996 |
| 9 | Columbus | $122,600 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $122,274 |
| 11 | La Vista | $122,255 |
| 12 | Papillion | $122,127 |
| 13 | North Platte | $122,087 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for pharmacists in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level pharmacist salary in Nebraska?
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Which Nebraska city offers the best value for pharmacists?
Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
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 1.83% 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 pharmacist compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute 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 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov