The median salary for healthcare administrators in Nebraska as of 2020 was $107,440 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), while its average salary was $124,080. While just two years ago Nebraska was below-average nationally in those categories, its 2020 showing has pushed it several thousands of dollars beyond the national figures in both categories.
Like many lightly populated midwestern states, Nebraska has real staffing challenges in healthcare services for rural areas. There are 157 hospital establishments in the state according to 2020 BLS figures, however a 2018 study by the University of Nebraska found that 13 of the 93 counties do not have a single practicing primary care physician.
Yet, according to the Health Cost Institute, spending per person on inpatient services in the state remains slightly above the national average. That’s a challenge for healthcare administrators, who will increasingly be asked to keep costs under control while expanding services to all areas of the state.
Job Outlook for Health Administration Professionals in Nebraska
The University of Nebraska study did find an upward trend in staffing across the state in recent years, which is also contributing to increasing demand for healthcare administrators. According to the state Office of Labor Market Information, between 2018 and 2028 the state should see a 15 percent increase in medical and health manager jobs. That will lead to openings of 330 positions per year, a combination of new jobs and turnover in existing positions.
Health Administration Salaries by Location
Omaha is the center of employment for healthcare administrators, with nearly 1,500 positions. All metro areas offer median salaries in the six-figure range, on of the cities its Lincoln offering the highest 90th percentile compensation at $170,280.
Omaha-Council Bluffs
- 25th percentile: $85,630
- Median: $112,300
- 90th percentile: NA
Lincoln
- 25th percentile: $78,580
- Median: $101,990
- 90th percentile: $170,280
Grand Island
- 25th percentile: $78,050
- Median: $101,080
- 90th percentile: $136,150
Many of Nebraska’s health service administrators work in rural areas of the state, but salaries still remain comparable to the major urban areas in most categories if not higher. At the 90th percentile, the Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area has the highest level in the state at $187,970.
2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Medical and Health Services Managers.
Job growth projections sourced from the Nebraska Office of Labor Market Information and published in the U.S. Department of Labor-funded Long Term Occupational Projections (2018-2028) database – https://projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm.
Salary figures and job market projections represent state data, not school-specific information.
Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2021.