Public Service Lincoln, NE Pop. 291,082

Police Officer Salary in Lincoln, Nebraska

The median police officer salary in Lincoln, NE is $59,211 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 0.0% above the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$59,211
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-6,579
Cost of Living
90%

Police Officer Pay in Lincoln: What to Expect (2026)

Lincoln offers a median police officer salary of $59,211, which is $0 above the Nebraska state average of $59,211. Compared to the national median of $65,790, Lincoln pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Lincoln's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for police officers in Lincoln spans from $36,360 at the 10th percentile to $95,400 at the 90th percentile — a $59,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $37,800, while senior police officers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $88,200. With a population of 291,082, Lincoln is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Police Officer Salary in Lincoln by Experience

In Lincoln, an entry-level police officer earns around $37,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $88,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$37,800
$-4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$59,400
$-6,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$88,200
$-9,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lincoln, NE

Percentile Lincoln
10th Percentile $36,360
25th Percentile $46,080
Median (50th) $59,211
75th Percentile $78,480
90th Percentile $95,400

Police Officer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$61,185
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$60,527
Pop. 64,176
Kearney, NE
$56,579
Pop. 33,464
Grand Island, NE
$55,264
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Police Officer in Lincoln

Education

Most police officer positions require a high school diploma. Lincoln and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Law EnforcementEmergency ResponseReport WritingDe-escalationPhysical FitnessCommunity Policing

Job Outlook

Nationally, police officer employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Lincoln may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Police Officer Jobs in Lincoln

Browse open police officer positions in Lincoln, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Salary in Lincoln

How much does a Police Officer make in Lincoln, NE? ▼
The median police officer salary in Lincoln, Nebraska is $59,211 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $65,790. Salaries range from $36,360 (10th percentile) to $95,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Police Officer make per hour in Lincoln? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $59,211, a police officer in Lincoln earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lincoln compare to the Nebraska state average for police officer pay? ▼
Lincoln's median police officer salary of $59,211 is 0.0% above the Nebraska state average of $59,211. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lincoln, NE? ▼
Lincoln has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a police officer salary of $59,211 in Lincoln has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a police officer in Lincoln? ▼
Most police officer positions in Lincoln require a high school diploma. Key skills include Law Enforcement, Emergency Response, Report Writing, De-escalation. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.