The University of Nebraska system is a cornerstone of the state's economy and a major employer, offering a vast array of career paths. For those considering employment, from academic faculty to administrative and technical staff, understanding the potential earnings is a critical step. Salaries at the university can range from approximately $35,000 per year for entry-level support roles to well over $250,000 for senior faculty, medical professionals, and top-level administrators, reflecting the diversity of opportunities available.
This guide provides a data-driven look into the salary landscape at the University of Nebraska, helping you understand what to expect and what factors will shape your potential income.
What Do Employees at the University of Nebraska Do?
It's important to understand that there isn't one single "University of Nebraska" job. As a large public research university system with multiple campuses—including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)—it employs thousands of professionals in distinct roles.
These roles can be broadly categorized:
- Academic/Faculty: These are the professors, lecturers, and researchers responsible for teaching and discovery. Their work involves educating students, conducting research, publishing scholarly articles, and securing grant funding.
- Administrative: This group includes the professionals who manage the university's operations, such as department administrators, financial officers, human resources specialists, admissions counselors, and student affairs coordinators.
- Staff and Technical Support: This diverse category includes IT professionals, lab technicians, librarians, marketing specialists, facilities managers, and skilled tradespeople who support the academic and operational mission of the university.
- Healthcare (Primarily at UNMC): The medical center employs a wide range of clinical professionals, including physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals.
Average Salaries at the University of Nebraska
Because of the wide variety of roles, a single "average salary" can be misleading. It's more useful to examine salaries by job category. The following data is aggregated from public university records and reputable salary platforms like Glassdoor, Payscale, and Salary.com (data as of 2023-2024).
- Overall Average: Salary aggregators place the broad average salary at the University of Nebraska system somewhere between $60,000 and $75,000 per year. However, this figure is skewed by the large number of both high-earning and entry-level positions.
A more detailed breakdown provides a clearer picture:
- Faculty Positions:
- Assistant Professor: $70,000 - $110,000
- Associate Professor: $90,000 - $150,000
- Full Professor: $120,000 - $200,000+
- Administrative & Staff Positions:
- Administrative Assistant: $38,000 - $55,000
- IT Support Specialist: $50,000 - $75,000
- Accountant: $55,000 - $80,000
- Director (Mid-Level): $85,000 - $130,000
- Research Positions:
- Postdoctoral Research Associate: $50,000 - $65,000
- Research Technologist/Assistant: $40,000 - $60,000
*Sources: Salary data is synthesized from public records, Glassdoor, and Payscale reports for the University of Nebraska system.*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your specific salary at the University of Nebraska will be determined by a combination of critical factors.
###
Level of Education
Education is a primary driver of salary, especially in a university setting. For faculty positions, a terminal degree (such as a Ph.D. or M.D.) is almost always required and is the baseline for consideration. For administrative and staff roles, a bachelor's degree is often the minimum, but a master's degree (e.g., an MBA, M.Ed., or MPA) can significantly increase earning potential and is often required for director-level and senior management positions.
###
Years of Experience
Experience is directly tied to advancement and pay. The academic tenure track is a perfect example:
- Assistant Professor: An entry-level, tenure-track position.
- Associate Professor: Typically awarded after 5-7 years of successful teaching and research, coming with a significant salary increase.
- Full Professor: The highest rank, achieved after a long and distinguished record of contributions, commanding the highest faculty salaries.
This principle applies across all roles. A senior IT project manager with 15 years of experience will earn substantially more than a junior help-desk technician.
###
Geographic Location (Campus)
While all part of one system, the different campuses can have slight variations in salary scales, sometimes influenced by the local cost of living and market competition. For instance, salaries at UNMC and UNO in Omaha, the state's largest city, may be slightly higher for certain competitive roles compared to those at UNK. Furthermore, UNMC operates in the highly competitive and high-paying healthcare market, which elevates its overall salary structure.
###
Company Type (College and Department)
Within the university, your specific college or department acts like a "company within a company." Salaries are heavily influenced by the field of study due to market demand and funding availability. For example, a professor in the College of Business or the College of Engineering, where private-sector salaries are high, will typically earn more than a professor in the humanities. Similarly, departments that secure large federal research grants, common at UNL and UNMC, can often offer more competitive salaries for both faculty and research staff.
###
Area of Specialization (Role and Job Function)
This is arguably the most significant factor. The responsibilities tied to a specific job function dictate its value in the marketplace. A neurosurgeon on faculty at UNMC will have a vastly different salary than a librarian at UNK. An administrative director overseeing a multi-million dollar budget will earn more than an administrative assistant handling scheduling. When researching salaries, it is crucial to look at data for your specific job title and function (e.g., "Financial Analyst," "Lab Manager," "Associate Professor of Biology").
Job Outlook
The job outlook for careers within the University of Nebraska system is tied to the broader outlook for higher education and healthcare.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by rising student enrollment. Similarly, roles for Education Administrators are projected to grow, ensuring a continued need for skilled management professionals.
Working for a large, stable public institution like the University of Nebraska system often provides greater job security than smaller, private entities. As a pillar of the state's educational and economic infrastructure, the university is a stable employer committed to long-term growth.
Conclusion
A career at the University of Nebraska offers diverse, rewarding, and stable opportunities across a wide spectrum of professions. While there is no single salary you can expect, your earnings will be competitively benchmarked based on a clear set of criteria: your education, experience, specific role, and the department you work in.
For prospective employees, the key takeaway is to research salaries specific to your field and experience level. By understanding these influencing factors, you can better negotiate your compensation and map out a successful and lucrative career path within this esteemed institution.