Mechanical Engineers in Nebraska. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Nebraska's median wage for Mechanical Engineers was $82,510 in 2024, about 21% below the national median of $104,651. That is a significant gap on paper. The cost-of-living picture narrows it.
Nebraska's cost-of-living index sits at 91, meaning prices run roughly 9% below the national baseline. In purchasing terms, that $82,510 stretches closer to what $90,700 would buy at average US prices. The real gap between Nebraska and the national median shrinks to somewhere around 13%. Not closed, but meaningfully smaller than the headline figure suggests.
The spread within the state is worth noting. The 10th percentile came in at $62,130 in 2024, and the 90th reached $129,290. Top earners here make about twice what entry-level peers do. That kind of range usually reflects differences in experience, specialization, and the type of employer, whether a manufacturing firm, an engineering consultancy, or a government contractor. At 860 total jobs, Nebraska's Mechanical Engineer workforce is small, so a few senior roles in well-paying sectors can move those upper percentiles considerably.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 9% between 2024 and 2034, a rate BLS classifies as faster than average. We see that projection at the national level; Nebraska's trajectory may differ given the state's smaller base.
Salary distribution
Where Nebraska mechanical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $74,820 and $108,900, with a median of $88,060.
Mechanical Engineers in Nebraska: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 20 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $85,194. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 6 | $69,255 |
| Level II — qualified | 8 | $76,047 |
| Level III — experienced | 5 | $97,760 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $152,876 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Mechanical Engineers in Nebraska. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Becton, Dickinson and Company | GIE EPI Engineer 3 | 3 | $81,000 |
| Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska | Postdoctoral Research Associate | 3 | $64,563 |
| Intellectt Inc | Process Engineer | 2 | $70,262 |
| Northern Natural Gas Company | Engineer I | 2 | $91,509 |
| Building Energy Solutions & Technology, Inc. | Product Development Engineer | 1 | $85,000 |
| DUNLAVY CONTRACTING, LLC | MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGER | 1 | $100,000 |
| EVONIK CORPORATION | Operation Technician | 1 | $71,760 |
| INTELLECTT, INC. | QUALITY ENGINEER | 1 | $70,720 |
| ITC INFOTECH (USA), INC. | Mechanical Engineer | 1 | $102,700 |
| Kiewit Power Constructors Co. | Pipe Field Engineer | 1 | $88,660 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGER at DUNLAVY CONTRACTING, LLC$100,000HASTINGSWage Level IIIDecided Mar 20, 2026I-200-26074-703820
- Pipe Field Engineer at Kiewit Power Constructors Co.$88,660GretnaWage Level IDecided Feb 23, 2026I-200-26047-643500
- Operation Technician at EVONIK CORPORATION$71,760BlairWage Level IDecided Feb 3, 2026I-200-26027-595077
- Product Development Engineer at Building Energy Solutions & Technology, Inc.$85,000OmahaWage Level IIDecided Jan 28, 2026I-200-26021-575594
- Research Assistant Professor at Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska$90,542LincolnWage Level IIIDecided Dec 17, 2025I-200-25344-471790
- Postdoctoral Research Associate at Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska$64,085LincolnWage Level IDecided Nov 4, 2025I-200-25268-334233
- Postdoctoral Research Associate at Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska$64,563LincolnWage Level IDecided Nov 4, 2025I-200-25268-334182
- Mechanical Engineer at ITC INFOTECH (USA), INC.$102,700OmahaWage Level IIIDecided Aug 26, 2025I-200-25231-251046
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Mechanical Engineers pay by experience level in Nebraska
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Mechanical Engineers in Nebraska, by industry
Median offered wage across 18 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $70,491.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | Intellectt Inc | 6 | $70,491 |
| Manufacturing | Becton, Dickinson and Company | 5 | $81,000 |
| Education | Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska | 3 | $64,563 |
| Transportation and logistics | Northern Natural Gas Company | 2 | $91,509 |
| Government and public sector | DUNLAVY CONTRACTING, LLC | 1 | $100,000 |
| Professional services | Building Energy Solutions & Technology, Inc. | 1 | $85,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Nebraska over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Mechanical
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- 02
Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- 03
Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- 04
Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
- 05
Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- 06
Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
- 07
Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.
- 08
Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+9.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Mechanical Engineers in Nebraska?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Nebraska is $88,060.
- How does Nebraska compare to the national median for Mechanical Engineers?
- The Nebraska median is -18.2% versus the BLS national figure of $107,639.
- What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers in Nebraska?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $61,860 and the 90th-percentile at $136,870, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Mechanical Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 9.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Mechanical Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.