Technology Lincoln, NE Pop. 291,082

Software Engineer Salary in Lincoln, Nebraska

The median software engineer salary in Lincoln, NE is $109,296 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 0.0% above the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$109,296
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-14,904
Cost of Living
90%

Software Engineer Pay in Lincoln: What to Expect (2026)

Lincoln offers a median software engineer salary of $109,296, which is $0 above the Nebraska state average of $109,296. Compared to the national median of $124,200, 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 software engineers in Lincoln spans from $65,648 at the 10th percentile to $174,750 at the 90th percentile — a $109,102 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,640, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $162,800. With a population of 291,082, Lincoln is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Lincoln by Experience

In Lincoln, an entry-level software engineer earns around $68,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $162,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,640
$-9,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$110,000
$-15,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$162,800
$-22,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lincoln, NE

Percentile Lincoln
10th Percentile $65,648
25th Percentile $86,416
Median (50th) $109,296
75th Percentile $139,216
90th Percentile $174,750

Software Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$113,022
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$111,780
Pop. 64,176
Kearney, NE
$104,328
Pop. 33,464
Grand Island, NE
$101,844
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Software Engineer in Lincoln

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Lincoln and the surrounding Nebraska area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Lincoln may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Lincoln

Browse open software engineer positions in Lincoln, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Lincoln

How much does a Software Engineer make in Lincoln, NE? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Lincoln, Nebraska is $109,296 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $65,648 (10th percentile) to $174,750 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Lincoln? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $109,296, a software engineer in Lincoln earns approximately $53 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lincoln compare to the Nebraska state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Lincoln's median software engineer salary of $109,296 is 0.0% above the Nebraska state average of $109,296. 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 software engineer salary of $109,296 in Lincoln has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Lincoln? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Lincoln require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.