BLS May 2025
Mechanic Salary in Nebraska
25th of 50 is where Nebraska lands on mechanic pay. For automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 median is $50,560 a year, level with the national median of $50,620, and 4,560 wage and salary jobs sit behind it. That is 0.6 percent of the 704,640 jobs nationwide, with the 10th percentile at $36,770 and the 90th at $79,990.
By Trevor Rupe, Contributor at Savo Media Group
At a Glance
- 25th of 50 states on median pay for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), $50,560 against $50,620 nationally.
- $65,150 for heavy equipment mechanics, 29 percent above automotive technicians.
- A $43,220 spread between the 10th and 90th percentiles, 36th widest of 50.
Mechanic Salary in Nebraska Matches the National Median
The bottom tenth earns $36,770 or less, $2,110 more than the national figure, but the top tenth starts at $79,990, close to the U.S. figure. The range, $43,220, across the pay scale comes close to the national gap.
| Measure | Nebraska | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,770 | $34,660 | +$2,110 |
| 25th percentile | $42,580 | $38,900 | +$3,680 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $50,560 | $50,620 | -$60 |
| 75th percentile | $62,710 | $70,430 | -$7,720 |
| 90th percentile | $79,990 | $81,790 | -$1,800 |
| Mean | $55,430 | $56,420 | -$990 |
| Wage and salary jobs | 4,560 | 704,640 |
Half of Nebraska mechanics fall between $42,580 and $62,710 (+$3,680 on the nation at the 25th percentile, -$7,720 at the 75th).
The $55,430 mean is pulled $4,870 over the median by a few high earners.
$36,770, the 10th percentile, says where the bottom tenth ends, not what a beginner is paid.
Omaha, NE-IA Leads Mechanic Pay in Nebraska
4 areas are priced, and the one with the most jobs, Omaha, NE-IA (2,250), pays $54,230, $3,670 more than the $50,560 figure for Nebraska.
Omaha, NE-IA combines the most jobs with the top pay, $54,230; Lincoln, NE sits $4,730 behind at $49,500 (areas with 500 or more jobs).
The 3 nonmetropolitan areas run from $46,660 to $54,330 on 1,530 jobs (34 percent of the state), with the $50,560 state median between them. South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area is the largest at 850 jobs.
2 of the 4 areas, led by Omaha, NE-IA, extend into IA and carry one figure for the whole area.
| Area | Median | Against Nebraska | 10th to 90th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $54,230 | +$3,670 | $37,760 to $80,600 | 2,250 |
| Lincoln, NE | $49,500 | -$1,060 | $36,410 to $80,080 | 770 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $54,230 | +$3,670 | $36,980 to $75,420 | 330 |
| Grand Island, NE | $53,250 | +$2,690 | $35,360 to $77,100 | 260 |
| South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $46,660 | -$3,900 | $36,480 to $79,940 | 850 |
| Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $54,330 | +$3,770 | $36,540 to $77,870 | 450 |
| Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $46,910 | -$3,650 | $36,950 to $81,200 | 230 |
7 Ranked Mechanic Programs in Nebraska
Metropolitan Community College Area in Omaha, NE tops a field of 7 ranked programs (4 automotive, 2 diesel and 1 collision repair) with 66.3 out of 100 in collision repair, spread over 4 schools.
Among 7 priced programs the range is $3,360 annually, in-state at Central Community College (Grand Island, NE) to $3,840 per year, in-state at Northeast Community College (Norfolk, NE).
Metropolitan Community College Area sits in Omaha, NE-IA, the best-paying area for mechanics at $54,230.
- Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NE, collision repair, score 66.3, #8 of 59
- Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE, automotive, score 65.0, #32 of 415
- Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NE, diesel, score 64.2, #15 of 76
- Central Community College Grand Island, NE, automotive, score 62.2, #66 of 415
- Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NE, automotive, score 61.8, #70 of 415
- Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NE, automotive, score 61.5, #72 of 415
- Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NE, diesel, score 53.8, #42 of 76
Best Mechanic Schools in Nebraska lists all seven with scores
Heavy Equipment Mechanics Lead Trade Pay by $14,590 in Nebraska
Trade choice changes pay by 29 percent here: heavy equipment mechanics make $65,150 compared with $50,560 for automotive technicians, with aircraft mechanics next at $64,020.
| Trade | Nebraska median | U.S. median | Rank of 50 | Jobs | Best metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | $65,150 | $65,510 | 24th | 1,490 | Lincoln, NE, $68,540 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $64,020 | $79,870 | 46th | 410 | |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,140 | $61,770 | 39th | 2,720 | Omaha, NE-IA, $60,960 |
| Collision Repair Technician | $54,130 | $54,890 | 21st | 1,120 | Omaha, NE-IA, $56,310 |
| Auto Mechanic | $50,560 | $50,620 | 25th | 4,560 | Omaha, NE-IA, $54,230 |
Aircraft mechanics ($64,020, -$15,850) and diesel mechanics ($59,140, -$2,630) make less than their counterparts nationwide.
Near their national medians: heavy equipment mechanics ($65,150, -$360) and collision repair technicians ($54,130, -$760).
Against other states, aircraft mechanics place 46th among 50 states at $64,020, the weakest showing among the trades.
Lincoln, NE is the best metro for heavy equipment mechanics here, at $68,540.
4,560 Mechanic Jobs in Nebraska at the National Density
4.5 of every 1,000 jobs are technician jobs, near the national rate, a location quotient of 0.98. That puts Nebraska 31st among 50 states on concentration.
The most concentrated trade is diesel mechanics (1.43, 2,720 jobs); aircraft mechanics trail at 0.45.
Nebraska Between South Dakota and Iowa on Mechanic Pay
Iowa sits closest, $50 below at $50,510; South Dakota follows above at $51,160, $600 away.
21 states sit inside $2,500 of $50,560, and 6 of them within $1,000. Rank changes fast in this stretch.
Questions About Mechanic Salary in Nebraska
What is a typical mechanic salary in Nebraska?
The median is $50,560 annually ($24.31 an hour), which is level with the nation. The 10th percentile is $36,770 and the 90th $79,990.
Do heavy equipment mechanics out-earn auto mechanics in Nebraska?
Yes, by $14,590: $65,150 versus $50,560, across 1,490 jobs.
Which mechanic school in Nebraska ranks highest?
Metropolitan Community College Area (Omaha, NE) leads: with 66.3 points; 7 programs are ranked in all.
The figures here are the Bureau of Labor Statistics median for wage and salary workers, so the mechanic salary in Nebraska for any one job depends on the employer, the metro area and the trade.
Sources for Mechanic Salary in Nebraska
- BLS OEWS, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics May 2025, read October 23, 2026.
- BLS OEWS technical notes Wage and salary workers only.