How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Nebraska
Nebraska employs approximately 16,450 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $40,000 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.72x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Nebraska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Nebraska
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Nebraska? Nebraska requires credentials such as Medication Aide, Registered Nurse Anesthetist (APRN-CRNA), Registered Nurse (RN). The licensing authority is the Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Nebraska? Yes. Nebraska has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Nebraska? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Nebraska is $40,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,090 and experienced professionals can earn $48,980 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support
- Median wage (Nebraska): $40,000 per year 1
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Nebraska
The Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Nebraska 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Medication Aide | Occupational DescriptionA Medication Aide (MA) assists in the provision of medications. |
| Registered Nurse Anesthetist (APRN-CRNA) | Occupational DescriptionAn APRN-CRNA is an individual who holds a basic RN license with additional education in nurse anesthesia, is certified in that focus area, and holds an APRN licens… |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Occupational DescriptionA Registered Nurse (RN) is an individual who has graduated from an approved nursing program with either an associate degree, diploma, or baccalaureate degree in nu… |
| Nurse Aide | Occupational DescriptionA Nurse Aide (NA) is a person on the Nurse Aide Registry employed for the purpose of aiding a Licensed Registered or Practical Nurse through the performance of non… |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Occupational DescriptionA Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is an individual who has graduated from an approved nursing program with a diploma in practical nursing, has passed the NCLEX-PN,… |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist (APRN-CNS) | Occupational DescriptionAn APRN-CNS is an individual who holds a basic RN license with additional education in leadership, systems innovation and management, health promotion, prevention,… |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Occupational DescriptionNursing Home Administrator- An individual who is responsible for the operation of a nursing home. |
| Nurse Practitioner (APRN-NP) | Occupational DescriptionAn APRN-NP is an individual who holds a basic RN license with additional education in a population focus such as family care, adult-gerontology, neonatal, pediatri… |
| Nurse Midwife (APRN-CNM) | Occupational DescriptionAn APRN-CNM is an individual who holds a basic RN license with additional education in prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care of mothers and babies, as well as… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Nebraska vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 7,740 | $40,020 | $43,020 | $37,750 | $49,760 |
| Lincoln | 2,630 | $38,650 | $41,500 | $37,060 | $48,310 |
| Sioux City | 930 | $38,940 | $41,360 | $36,410 | $48,090 |
| Grand Island | 590 | $38,880 | $41,920 | $36,660 | $48,350 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Nebraska
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Nebraska according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 7,740 | $40,020 |
| Lincoln | 2,630 | $38,650 |
| Grand Island | 590 | $38,880 |
Explore More Trades in Nebraska
- Electrician in Nebraska
- Plumber in Nebraska
- HVAC Technician in Nebraska
- Welder in Nebraska
- Carpenter in Nebraska
- Solar Installation Technician in Nebraska
- Auto Mechanic in Nebraska
- CNC Machinist in Nebraska
- Medical Assistant in Nebraska
- Massage Therapist in Nebraska
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Nebraska? Nebraska currently employs approximately 16,450 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Nebraska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Nebraska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Nebraska.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Nebraska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Nebraska is $40,000, which is $470 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support - Licensing Information: https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/professions-and-occupations.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |