How to Become a Paramedic in Nebraska (2026)

Q: How long does paramedic training take in Nebraska?

Most people become a Paramedic in Nebraska through a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure.

Q: How much do paramedics earn in Nebraska?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paramedics in Nebraska earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,230. Employment concentration in Nebraska is roughly 0.75 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do paramedics need a license in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska requires state-level licensing or registration for paramedics, administered by the Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Health Systems. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for paramedics in Nebraska?

Nebraska currently employs approximately 490 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Nebraska paramedics earn a median annual wage of $56,230 ($27.04/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 490 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.2% below the national median of $60,600 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $56,230 ($27.04/hr)
25th percentile: $50,170 per year
75th percentile: $66,700 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $76,710 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $45,240 per year
Workers employed in Nebraska: 490
Versus national median: -7.2% below the U.S. median of $60,600
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.75 - this occupation is less concentrated in Nebraska than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Nebraska employs about 490 paramedics earning a median $56,230 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Paramedic here means completing a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure, then applying through Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Health Systems.

Nebraska employs approximately 490 paramedics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,230 ¹. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,900 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Paramedic in Nebraska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: state-approved paramedic program after EMT (find programs)
Typical timeline: a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure
Licensing authority: Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Health Systems
Exam: NREMT (most states)
Median wage (Nebraska): $56,230 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paramedic in Nebraska

How to become a Paramedic in Nebraska? Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Apply through Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Health Systems. See the NREMT ³ for the national exam.

How long does it take? Most people finish a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the training program and Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Health Systems.

Do I need a license in Nebraska? Yes. Nebraska certifies paramedics through Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Health Systems ⁴. You also pass the NREMT exam in most states. See the licensing section below.

What do paramedics earn in Nebraska? The median annual wage for paramedics in Nebraska is $56,230 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,240 and experienced professionals can earn $76,710 or more ¹.

How to Become a Paramedic in Nebraska

Hold an EMT credential and meet program entry rules. Paramedic programs in Nebraska typically require a current EMT certification, a high school diploma or GED, and CPR. Confirm age, driving, and background-check rules with the program.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program. Enroll in a state-approved, CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program in Nebraska. These programs are longer than EMT training and combine classroom work with clinical and field internships. Confirm current length with the program. This is not a registered apprenticeship path.
Pass the NREMT paramedic exam. Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians paramedic exam. See the NREMT ³ for current cognitive and psychomotor rules.
Apply for Nebraska paramedic licensure. Apply through Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Health Systems. Some states also require a local EMS agency affiliation. Confirm current fees and reciprocity before you practice.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Paramedic License Requirements in Nebraska

The Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Health Systems oversees paramedic licensure in Nebraska ⁴. Most candidates complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT and take the NREMT paramedic exam ³.

Typical paramedic path

Hold a current EMT certification.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (longer than EMT; confirm length with the school).
Pass the NREMT paramedic exam.
Apply for Nebraska paramedic licensure.

Hour totals, background checks, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Nebraska EMS office before you enroll.

Paramedic Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska

Paramedics Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), paramedics wages in Nebraska vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Omaha	210	$56,130	$56,420	$45,240	$80,580
Lincoln	60	$63,900	$63,160	$47,350	$75,020
Sioux City	50	$53,310	$55,120	$48,060	$60,290

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for paramedics in Nebraska? Nebraska currently employs approximately 490 paramedics ¹. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Nebraska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Nebraska.

How much do paramedics earn in Nebraska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paramedics in Nebraska is $56,230, which is $2,180 below the national median of $58,410 according to BLS data ¹.

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NREMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: https://www.nremt.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Health Systems - Licensing Information: https://dhhs.ne.gov/ems ↩︎ ↩︎

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)