NE

Certifications & licenses in Nebraska

Compare requirements, salaries, and career paths for 27 professional credentials in NE. Data from BLS OEWS and primary state licensing sources.

Tracked careers
27
Top-paying
Dental Hygienist
$84,400
insights

What's different about Nebraska

Licensing landscape
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
25
distinct boards
COSMETOLOGY

Nebraska requires 1,800 hours of education for cosmetologist licensure, one of the higher requirements in the country.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

MASSAGE THERAPY

To become a licensed massage therapist, applicants must complete 1,000 hours of education over a period of at least nine months.

Nebraska Board of Massage Therapy

EMT

For license renewal, EMTs in Nebraska must complete 40 hours of continuing education, following the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) model.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

ELECTRICAL

Licensed electricians must complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years to renew, with at least six hours focused on the National Electrical Code.

Nebraska State Electrical Division

Metro concentration
Where certified careers cluster
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA
56,950 jobs
Office and Administrative Support
BLS OEWS May 2024
Lincoln, NE
21,380 jobs
Office and Administrative Support
BLS OEWS May 2024
Grand Island, NE
15.0% of local area employment
Production
BLS OEWS May 2024
Cost-of-living adjusted
What nominal wages are actually worth in Nebraska
91.6
COL composite index
MERIC Q3 2025
79.0
Housing index
13th lowest in US
National rank

With a cost of living 8.4% below the national average, a $60,000 salary in Nebraska has the purchasing power of over $65,000 in an average-cost state.

Regional comparison
Nebraska vs. neighboring states
Certified Nursing Assistant · Median annual wage
State Median annual wage vs NE
NE $39,792
IA $39,200 −1.5% vs NE
MO $39,147 −1.6% vs NE
KS $37,221 −6.5% vs NE
CO $45,480 +14.3% vs NE
WY $41,040 +3.1% vs NE
SD $41,734 +4.9% vs NE
Massage Therapist · Required training hours
State Required training hours vs NE
NE 1,000 hours
IA 600 hours −400 hours
MO 625 hours −375 hours
KS 0 hours (statewide) no statewide requirement
CO 650 hours −350 hours
WY 0 hours (statewide) no statewide requirement
SD 500 hours −500 hours
health_and_safety

Healthcare in Nebraska

13 paths
Career License Median salary
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Required $38,620
Dental Assistant Required $46,660
EMT Required $39,370
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Required $60,740
Medical Assistant No $46,080
Medical Coder No $48,420
Paramedic Required $39,370
Pharmacy Technician Required $41,400
Phlebotomist No $36,750
Radiology Technologist Required $68,520
Respiratory Therapist Required $78,880
Surgical Technologist No $62,670
Dental Hygienist Required $84,400
construction

Trades in Nebraska

8 paths
Career License Median salary
CDL Truck Driver Required $57,940
Electrician Required $60,020
HVAC Technician No $59,690
Plumber No $62,880
Welder No $50,550
Barber Required
Cosmetologist Required $39,190
Massage Therapist Required $55,080
business_center

Professional in Nebraska

6 paths
Career License Median salary
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Required $69,980
Notary Public Required
Paralegal No $61,410
Personal Trainer No $30,540
Insurance Agent Required $58,480
Real Estate Agent Required $48,550

leaderboard Nebraska careers ranked by salary

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