Finding accurate data on accounting salaries in Nebraska can be challenging for finance professionals.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down key insights on compensation across all levels of accounting roles in the Cornhusker State.
You'll discover salary ranges based on experience and credentials, top-paying firms and cities, future trends impacting pay, and strategies to maximize your earnings potential in Nebraska's job market.
Introduction to Nebraska Accounting Salaries: A Quick Overview
This section provides an overview of accounting salaries in Nebraska, setting the stage to explore compensation levels for various roles. As a major employer in industries like transportation, insurance, and finance, Nebraska offers competitive salaries to attract top accounting talent.
Understanding the Landscape of Accounting Salaries in Nebraska
Major Nebraska-based companies that employ accountants include:
- Transportation: Union Pacific
- Insurance: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp
- Finance: Nelnet, First National Bank of Omaha
These and other large employers shape the accounting job market. Accounting pros have their pick of corporate accounting roles as well as opportunities in public accounting firms.
Comparing Popular Accounting Roles and Their Salaries in Nebraska
Typical accounting salaries in Nebraska:
- Senior Accountant: $65,000 - $85,000
- Plant Controller: $90,000 - $120,000
- Accounting Manager: $80,000 - $110,000
Salaries vary based on factors like location, qualifications, firm size, and years of experience. Metropolitan areas may offer higher pay.
The Factors That Affect Accounting Salaries in Nebraska
Key variables that impact accountant salaries in Nebraska:
- Location: Accounting salaries in Omaha and Lincoln are typically higher than rural areas
- Firm size: Larger companies and public accounting firms offer higher compensation
- Qualifications: CPAs tend to earn more than non-credentialed accountants
- Years of experience: More seasoned professionals command higher salaries
Understanding these salary factors provides helpful context when evaluating accounting job offers in Nebraska.
What is a good salary in Nebraska?
The average annual salary in Nebraska is $53,640, which equates to an hourly wage of $26. However, salaries can vary significantly across industries and roles.
Here's a breakdown of typical earning levels in Nebraska:
- Top 25% (75th Percentile): $67,552 per year or $32 per hour
- Average Salary: $53,640 per year or $26 per hour
- Bottom 25% (25th Percentile): $39,728 per year or $19 per hour
As you can see, Nebraska salaries tend to be on the lower side compared to national averages. However, the cost of living is also lower in Nebraska.
Some of the top paying jobs in Nebraska include:
- Physicians with an average salary of $202,460
- Lawyers with an average salary of $136,910
- Engineering managers with an average salary of $132,800
Key companies offering competitive salaries in Nebraska include:
- Union Pacific
- Gallup
- Ameritas Life Insurance Corp
- Gavilon
- Yahoo
- Interpublic Group
In summary, a "good salary" is highly dependent on your role, industry, experience level, and geographic location within the state. While salaries may be lower than the national average, Nebraska does offer a relatively low cost of living and healthy job market in certain metro areas.
What is the average personal annual wage in Nebraska?
The average annual wage for Nebraska residents is $49,964 per year or $24.02 per hour, according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This places Nebraska slightly below the national average salary of $51,916.
When examining salaries in Nebraska, there are several key factors to consider:
-
Location - Salaries tend to be higher in major metropolitan areas like Omaha and Lincoln compared to rural parts of the state. Jobs concentrated in finance, tech, healthcare tend to pay above average salaries.
-
Industry - Some of the highest paying industries in Nebraska include utilities, finance and insurance, professional and technical services, and information. Industries like agriculture and hospitality tend to fall below the average salary range.
-
Experience and education - More experienced, skilled professionals and those with higher education levels generally earn substantially more than entry-level workers. Advanced degrees in high demand fields tend to correlate strongly with higher pay in Nebraska.
-
Cost of living - Nebraska has a relatively low cost of living compared to coastal states, so salaries go further. However, some metro areas are more expensive than others.
While Nebraska salaries are moderate on average, experienced professionals in growing industries can still command strong compensation, especially in metro regions. Understanding these key factors provides helpful context around the $49,964 mean wage across the state.
What is the wages of the company Accountant?
The estimated total pay for an Accountant in Nebraska is around $73,500 per year, or $6,125 per month. This is based on median salary data collected from professionals in the state.
Some key points about Accountant salaries in Nebraska:
-
The average base salary is approximately $50,000 per year, or $4,167 per month. This does not include bonuses or benefits.
-
With bonuses and profit-sharing, total cash compensation can reach about $65,000 annually, or $5,417 monthly.
-
Factoring in health/dental insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits, total compensation averages around $73,500 per year, or $6,125 per month.
-
Salary ranges for Accountants in Nebraska span from $45,000 for entry-level roles up to $95,000 for senior/management positions. Experience, education level, firm size, and geographic location impact wages.
-
Omaha and Lincoln offer the highest salaries, while rural areas have lower average compensation.
So in summary, a typical Accountant in Nebraska earns approximately $50,000 in base salary, $65,000 in total cash, and $73,500 per year with all benefits included. This translates to total monthly earnings of $4,167 in base salary up to $6,125 for full compensation.
What does an Accountant do for a business?
Accountants play a critical role in helping businesses manage their finances and operations. Some of the key responsibilities of an accountant in a business include:
-
Financial Reporting and Analysis: Accountants prepare financial statements, analyze trends, compare performance to budgets, and provide recommendations based on the financial health of the business. This includes tasks like:
- Preparing balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements
- Performing ratio analysis
- Identifying areas for potential cost savings
-
Compliance: Accountants ensure the business is complying with all tax and regulatory requirements by:
- Preparing tax returns
- Ensuring proper payment of estimated taxes
- Staying up-to-date on changing regulations
-
Budgeting and Forecasting: Accountants create budgets and financial models to forecast future performance. This allows businesses to set targets and benchmarks.
-
Auditing: Accountants verify that financial statements are accurate and comply with regulations by reviewing processes, documents, systems, and financial reports.
-
Advising: By understanding the numbers behind the business, accountants can advise management on financial decisions like pricing models, expansion plans, investments, and new initiatives.
In summary, accountants provide the financial acumen to help businesses track performance, comply with regulations, plan for the future, ensure accuracy of reporting, and advise on key decisions. Their specialized expertise in accounting, finance, tax, and compliance makes them a vital part of operations.
Breaking Down Salaries for Entry-Level Accounting Roles in Nebraska
What to Expect: Entry-Level Accountant Salaries in Omaha and Lincoln
Entry-level accountants in Nebraska can expect average starting salaries between $35,000 and $45,000. This includes roles like staff accountants, AP/AR clerks, payroll administrators and more junior positions.
In the state's two largest cities of Omaha and Lincoln, entry wages tend to be slightly higher. Beginners can expect around $38,000 to $48,000 on average. This reflects the higher cost of living compared to other Nebraska locales.
Some factors impacting entry pay include:
- Education level - Those with a bachelor's degree tend to earn more than those without one.
- Firm size - Larger companies and corporations tend to pay better than small businesses.
- Certifications - Having a CPA license boosts pay above uncertified accountants.
Overall Nebraska salaries for early career accounting pros lag national averages. But the lower cost of living helps wages stretch further compared to coastal states.
Comparing Salaries by Firm Size and Location: Omaha vs. Bellevue
There is a correlation between firm size, location and entry-level Nebraska accounting salaries:
- Small Firms (under 50 employees)
- Omaha - $36,000-$42,000
- Bellevue $34,000-$40,000
- Mid-Size Firms (50-500 employees)
- Omaha - $39,000-$45,000
- Bellevue - $37,000-$43,000
- Large Firms & Corporations (over 500 employees)
- Omaha - $41,000-$49,000
- Bellevue - $39,000-$47,000
The numbers above demonstrate that beginners can expect to earn $2,000 to $3,000 more working for larger companies compared to small businesses. And wages in Omaha outpace Bellevue by around $2,000 on average.
Boosting Entry-Level Accounting Salaries with Education and Certifications
Several factors can help beginners increase starting salaries:
- Education - Accountants with a master's degree earn approximately $3,000 more than those holding just a bachelor's degree.
- CPA License - Becoming a licensed CPA boosts entry pay by $5,000+ over uncertified accountants.
- Software Skills - Proficiency in accounting systems like QuickBooks, Sage 50, SAP can add $2,000 to $5,000 to starting offers.
- Industry Specialties - Focusing on high-paying industries like tech, banking and healthcare can increase base pay.
Gaining the right education, credentials and skills make entry-level accountants more valuable - increasing their compensation potential.
sbb-itb-be9f1e0
sbb-itb-be9f1e0
sbb-itb-be9f1e0
sbb-itb-be9f1e0
Navigating Mid-Career Accountant Salaries in Nebraska
Examine the earning potential for accountants with 5-10 years of experience.
Established Roles and Their Salary Ranges in the Cornhusker State
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an accountant with 5-10 years of experience in Nebraska is between $55,000 and $85,000. Here are some common accounting roles in this experience range along with typical salaries:
- Staff Accountant: $55,000 - $70,000
- Senior Accountant: $65,000 - $80,000
- Accounting Manager: $75,000 - $95,000
- Financial Analyst: $70,000 - $90,000
- Budget Analyst: $60,000 - $80,000
Salaries can vary across industries. Accountants at mid-size companies may earn within the lower end of these ranges, while those at large corporations and public accounting firms tend to earn towards the higher end.
Earning Potential Across Different Firm Types in Nebraska
The type of company has a significant impact on salary potential for mid-career accounting professionals in Nebraska:
- Small private companies: $50,000 - $70,000. Limited growth opportunities.
- Mid-size private companies: $60,000 - $90,000. Moderate growth potential.
- Large public corporations: $70,000 - $120,000. High earning ceiling and career advancement.
- Public accounting firms: $55,000 - $100,000. Rapid salary jumps but demanding hours.
Public companies and large national accounting firms tend to pay the most, along with the best benefits and career development programs. Small local firms offer less compensation but provide a more relaxed environment.
Leveraging Job Changes for a Salary Boost in Nebraska's Accounting Sector
Switching jobs every 2-3 years is an effective way for accountants to significantly boost salaries in Nebraska. Some strategies include:
- Moving from a small firm to a large public corporation
- Transitioning from private industry to public accounting
- Taking on a specialized finance role like FP&A or Treasury
- Relocating from rural areas to metro regions
- Obtaining a CPA license or other credentials
Lateral moves to new companies enable negotiating higher base pay, sign-on bonuses, or improved benefits. This job-hopping approach can help accounting professionals double their earnings over a decade.
Executive and Leadership Accounting Salaries in Nebraska
Analyze pay for top-tier accounting positions like Controllers, CFOs and Partners.
What Does a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Earn in Nebraska?
The average salary for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in Nebraska is $163,000 per year. However, CFO compensation can vary significantly depending on factors like:
-
Company size - CFOs at large corporations earn more than those at small or midsize businesses. For example, the average salary for a CFO at a company with over $1 billion in annual revenue is $230,000 in Nebraska.
-
Industry - CFO pay tends to be higher in high-paying industries like finance and insurance. The average is $185,000 in these sectors.
-
Experience and qualifications - More seasoned CFOs with MBAs, CPAs, or proven track records command higher compensation.
Typical benefits for CFOs include performance bonuses, stock options, profit sharing, 401(k) matching, life and disability insurance, healthcare, paid time off, and more. With total comp, Nebraska CFO pay can reach over $300,000.
Public Accounting Partners: Salary Insights in Nebraska
Partners at large public accounting firms in Nebraska earn $180,000 - $250,000 on average. However, equity partners and those in leadership roles make more. For example:
- Audit Partner - $210,000
- Tax Partner - $230,000
- Managing Partner - $290,000
Partners enjoy additional income from firm profits and performance incentives. Total partner compensation averages $350,000 - $500,000 overall in Nebraska.
Benefits approximate those of industry CFOs but also include expense accounts and sabbaticals. Public accounting schedules can be demanding, but the earning potential is high for those progressing on the partner track.
Corporate Controller Salaries: The Pinnacle of Nebraska's Accounting Pay Scale
Corporate controllers in Nebraska earn $140,000 on average with total compensation approaching $200,000 including bonuses and stock awards. Pay varies by company size:
- Small business controllers make ~$110,000
- Mid-market corporation controllers earn ~$155,000
- Large public company controllers command $190,000+
Controllers enjoy excellent benefits like 5-6 weeks of PTO, performance incentives, profit sharing, and tuition reimbursement. While demanding, controller roles offer the pinnacle of pay for accountants managing teams and overseeing major corporations' financial reporting.
Maximizing Your Accounting Salary in Nebraska: Negotiation Strategies
Negotiating a higher salary as an accounting professional in Nebraska can seem daunting, but with the right strategies, you can maximize your earning potential. Here are some key tactics to use:
Benchmarking Your Salary: How to Compare Jobs and Pay Equity in Nebraska
-
Use salary comparison sites like Glassdoor and PayScale to research the average pay range for someone with your title, experience level, and geographic location. This gives you solid data to benchmark against.
-
Review the latest compensation surveys from industry groups like the AICPA to understand regional trends. For example, accounting salaries in Omaha tend to be 5-10% lower than Lincoln.
-
Calculate your hourly rate or annual salary based on your current compensation package - include bonuses, retirement contributions, etc. This total compensation amount is what you should compare.
-
Understand if you are being paid fairly based on your specialized skills. For example, does your pay properly value advanced Excel abilities? Or credentials like a CPA license? Benchmark against similar roles.
Highlighting Specialized Qualifications to Increase Your Accounting Salary
-
Emphasize niche skills that make you uniquely valuable. For example, highlight CPA/CMA/CIA certifications, revenue recognition expertise, advanced Excel modeling abilities, SQL programming skills, etc.
-
Quantify past successes from using your specialized skills. For example, "My advanced Excel dashboard increased sales reporting efficiency by 25%." This builds your case.
-
Make sure your resume and LinkedIn properly showcase key accounting specialties. For example, don't just list "CPA" - elaborate on tax compliance successes leveraging your CPA expertise.
Using Multiple Job Offers to Your Advantage in Nebraska's Accounting Market
-
Research shows that accounting professionals who juggle multiple job offers tend to receive higher salary packages. Recruiters will try to win you over.
-
Be discreet, but make recruiters aware you're exploring multiple options. They may preemptively increase salary offers to try and hire you.
-
Politely let the highest bidder know you have a competing offer. See if they will match or exceed the other offer. Don't falsely fabricate offers though.
-
Time the process carefully. Try and obtain all final offers within a few days so you can quickly compare and negotiate using the leverage from competition.
Following these tactics can help you benchmark your true market value, highlight your niche expertise to command higher salaries, and take advantage of recruiting competition - ultimately maximizing your accounting compensation in Nebraska. The key is using data, specialization, and leverage to build negotiation power.
Accounting Salaries and the Future Job Market in Nebraska
The job outlook for accounting professionals in Nebraska appears positive over the next decade. With steady growth projected statewide and demand for financial talent rising nationally, salaries may follow suit.
Anticipated Job Growth for Accountants in the Cornhusker State
According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, employment for accountants and auditors is expected to expand by nearly 750 positions through 2026. This reflects a statewide growth rate of 10.5% for accounting roles, outpacing the average across all occupations. As industries throughout Nebraska hire financial staff to support expansion plans, job openings and competitive wages will likely increase.
Future-Proofing Your Accounting Career: High-Value Skills and Specializations
To maximize salary potential in the future Nebraska job market, accountants should develop expertise in high-demand skills like data analytics, automation, and advisory services. As technology advances reshape certain accounting functions, roles involving interpretation, strategy, and consultative guidance will become more valuable. Specializing in niche areas like cryptocurrency accounting or sustainability reporting can also set candidates apart. Honing these skills now will pay dividends in terms of long-term employability and earnings growth.
The Impact of Technological Advancements on Accounting Salaries in Nebraska
While automation may replace more routine accounting tasks, new technologies will also create specialized roles. As Nebraska firms adopt innovations like AI, machine learning, and cloud-based platforms, they will need financial talent to implement these tools. Tech-savvy accountants who can streamline processes through automation and provide data-driven insights will be better positioned for higher wages. However, accounting professionals who lack the skills to adapt may see their job prospects and salaries stagnate.
Understanding Compensation Beyond Salary: Benefits and Perks for Nebraska Accountants
Accounting professionals in Nebraska have opportunities to earn competitive salaries. However, compensation packages often include more than just base pay. Benefits, bonuses, incentives and other perks can significantly increase an accountant's total earnings and improve their quality of life.
Health and Retirement Benefits: A Closer Look at Nebraska's Accounting Firms
Most employers in Nebraska's accounting sector offer benefits to supplement base salaries. Common benefits include:
-
Health Insurance: Covers medical expenses for employees and sometimes their families. Many firms pay 50-100% of premiums. High-deductible plans with health savings accounts are also popular.
-
Retirement Plans: 401(k)s with employer matching contributions are typical. Some firms offer pensions, profit-sharing, or employee stock plans as well.
-
Paid Time Off: Most employees earn 10-25 vacation days, 6-12 sick days, plus holidays per year. Higher-ranking roles often have more generous allotments.
-
Work-Life Benefits: Flexible schedules, remote work options, childcare stipends, eldercare resources, employee assistance programs, etc. aim to help balance personal and professional responsibilities.
Non-Salary Compensation: Bonuses and Incentives for Nebraska Accountants
In addition to benefits, performance-based bonuses and incentives can increase an accountant's earnings by 5-20% or more. Common programs include:
-
Individual Bonuses: Rewards for standout performers. Often paid as year-end bonuses.
-
Team Bonuses: Encourages collaboration. Paid for meeting departmental goals.
-
Profit Sharing: Employees earn a portion of the company's profits.
-
Commission Programs: Percentage of sales earned on accounts managed. More common for high-level accounting roles.
Work-Life Balance and Flexibility: Valuable Benefits in the Accounting Sector
With demanding workloads, the ability to maintain work-life balance is highly valued by accounting professionals. Common arrangements include:
-
Flexible Scheduling: Adjusting start/end times to accommodate personal needs.
-
Remote Work Options: Working from home or telecommuting a few days a week.
-
Part-Time Opportunities: Reduced schedules help balance family needs.
-
Sabbaticals: Extended paid/unpaid leave every 5-10 years of service.
Professional Development Opportunities for Accountants in Nebraska
Investing in an accountant's continuous skills development and career growth is mutually beneficial for employer and employee. Typical offerings include:
-
Training Programs: Develop hard and soft skills needed on the job. Funded by the employer.
-
Continuing Education Support: Time-off and financial assistance to take certification courses.
-
Tuition Reimbursement: Partial or full tuition reimbursement for advanced accounting degrees.
-
Mentorship Programs: Partner junior staff with senior employees for guidance.
-
Leadership Development: Train high-potential employees for management roles.
Beyond competitive base salaries, Nebraska's accounting sector offers many valuable benefits and perks as part of well-rounded compensation packages, enabling firms to attract and retain top talent.
Pay Transparency and Equity in Nebraska's Accounting Industry
The State of Pay Transparency in Nebraska's Accounting Firms
Many accounting firms in Nebraska still lack full pay transparency. While some disclose salary ranges for open positions, details on current employee compensation are not always readily available. There are concerns that hiding such information enables biases and unfair pay practices.
However, a growing number of firms now publish reports on gender pay equity. Public accounting leaders Deloitte and EY openly share diversity metrics and progress in achieving equal pay. As more data becomes public, it pressures others to follow suit.
Overall, increased pay transparency from leading firms sets a trend towards openness. But most Nebraska accounting employers still have room for improvement in disclosing compensation details.
Tackling the Gender Pay Gap: Reports and Initiatives in Nebraska
Nationwide, female accountants make only $0.82 for every dollar paid to men. Nebraska mirrors this gender pay gap. The spread stems largely from women struggling to advance into leadership roles.
To their credit, many Cornhusker State firms now publish pay equity reports. These track metrics like male vs. female salaries and promotions over time. Some leaders, including UNICO Group and SilverStone Group, also set public goals to raise women into senior levels.
Many Nebraska accounting associations aid these efforts by offering mentoring circles, networking events, and development workshops aimed at helping women progress their careers. Still, closing the gender pay gap remains an ongoing battle.
Pay Equity Analysis: How Nebraska Accountants Can Assess Fair Compensation
With pay often opaque, how can accountants know if they are paid fairly? While no perfect tools exist, professionals can utilize a few key methods:
Benchmark salary surveys: National and regional data from Robert Half, Payscale, Salary.com, and trade groups provide comparison points. Accountants should focus on ranges for their role, experience level, and metro area.
Peer conversations: Discussing pay details with colleagues in similar positions can reveal discrepancies. But take care in approaching such sensitive topics.
Total comp analysis: Review all aspects of compensation beyond base salary, including bonuses, equity, benefits, and perks. Ensure the full package aligns to market norms.
While imperfect, combining these approaches creates a mosaic for assessing fair pay. If gaps emerge, accountants can approach their employer or seek new opportunities.
The Role of Professional Organizations in Promoting Pay Equity
Groups like the Nebraska Society of CPAs and the Institute of Management Accountants play an integral role in driving fair pay practices locally. They provide benchmark salary research, continuing education on compensation topics, and events that connect accounting professionals across all career levels.
These organizations also lobby for legislative and regulatory changes around pay equity. Recently, they aided new salary history ban laws that remove another channel enabling unfair pay for women and minorities.
Through research, education, and policy advocacy, Nebraska's accounting associations ensure fair compensation remains front and center. They empower professionals to benchmark pay, guide career growth, and, if needed, seek new opportunities offering equitable wages.
Conclusion: Synthesizing Nebraska's Accounting Salary Insights
Key Takeaways on Nebraska Accounting Salaries and Career Growth
Accounting salaries in Nebraska offer competitive compensation, especially in major metropolitan areas like Omaha and Lincoln. Key takeaways include:
- The average salary for an accountant in Nebraska is $62,000, 10% higher than the national average. Senior and specialized roles earn significantly more.
- Accounting salaries in Omaha and Lincoln lead the state, boosted by major companies and finance sector jobs.
- Strong career growth potential exists with Nebraska's business expansion and retiring baby boomers opening up senior positions.
Overall, accounting remains a lucrative and stable career path in Nebraska with salary premiums for high demand specializations.
Planning Your Accounting Career Path in Nebraska
Professionals looking to maximize salaries and advancement in Nebraska's accounting job market should:
- Get licensed as a CPA early in your career to boost credibility and earnings potential.
- Specialize in high demand areas like auditing, financial reporting, or systems implementation.
- Build expertise in industries driving Nebraska's economy - agriculture, insurance, finance.
- Take on progressive responsibility and continue education to climb the career ladder.
Following this career development strategy can help position accounting professionals to capitalize on Nebraska's competitive salaries and growing industry demand.
Future Trends to Watch in Nebraska's Accounting Salaries
As technology transforms the field, automation may exert downward pressure on entry-level accounting salaries in Nebraska. However, increasing integration of data analytics into accounting should buoy pay rates for accountants with specialized tech skills.
Continued business attraction to Nebraska and an aging accountant workforce nearing retirement also paint a strong long-term picture for accounting salaries in the state. Adaptability and updating technical capabilities will be key to riding these trends.
