Career Atlas USA

Careers in Nebraska

Nebraska’s regional price level is below the national average (index 90.103, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 3% · Labor force participation: 69.6% · 1,067,333 people employed (2026-07, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Cardiologists$646,300
  2. 2Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$507,770
  3. 3Emergency Medicine Physicians$371,880
  4. 4Dermatologists$359,580
  5. 5Obstetricians and Gynecologists$342,570

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Fast Food and Counter Workers30,060 employed
  2. 2Registered Nurses24,720 employed
  3. 3General and Operations Managers24,030 employed
  4. 4Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers23,160 employed
  5. 5Retail Salespersons22,780 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Slaughterers and Meat Packers11.89× national avg
  2. 2Animal Scientists10.49× national avg
  3. 3Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers8.69× national avg
  4. 4Rail Car Repairers8.07× national avg
  5. 5Conveyor Operators and Tenders7.81× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Cardiologists$717,290
  2. 2Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$563,544
  3. 3Emergency Medicine Physicians$412,728
  4. 4Dermatologists$399,077
  5. 5Obstetricians and Gynecologists$380,198

Strongest Opportunity Score

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  1. 1Rail Car Repairers98.1 / 100
  2. 2Slaughterers and Meat Packers98 / 100
  3. 3Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment93.1 / 100
  4. 4Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers92.2 / 100
  5. 5Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers91.9 / 100

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score is a Career Atlas USA calculation — see methodology.