Financial Analyst in Bellevue, NE

The Salary Picture: Where Bellevue Stands

Bellevue, Nebraska, sits in a unique position within the state's financial landscape. As a Financial Analyst, you're looking at a local market that offers a solid, stable salary but with a distinct cost-of-living advantage. The median salary for a Financial Analyst in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area, which includes Bellevue, is $96,782/year. This translates to an hourly rate of $46.53/hour. It's important to note that this is slightly below the national average of $99,010/year, a difference of about 2.3%. However, this gap is more than compensated for by the area's affordability.

The job market itself is modest but consistent. There are approximately 128 Financial Analyst jobs in the metro area. Over the next decade, the field is projected to grow by 9%, which aligns closely with the national average for this profession. This indicates a stable demand for analytical talent, particularly from the region's heavy hitters in agriculture, insurance, and corporate finance.

To give you a clearer picture of earning potential based on experience, here’s a breakdown:

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range (Annual)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$70,000 - $85,000	Data collection, report generation, basic financial modeling, supporting senior analysts.
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$85,000 - $110,000	Independently managing reports, building complex models, budgeting, forecasting, presenting to managers.
Senior-Level (8+ yrs)	$110,000 - $135,000	Leading projects, mentoring juniors, strategic planning, advanced financial modeling, cross-department collaboration.
Expert/Managerial (10+ yrs)	$135,000+	Departmental leadership, high-level strategy, M&A analysis, board-level presentations, P&L management.

When you compare Bellevue's numbers to other Nebraska cities, the context becomes clearer. While Lincoln and Omaha offer similar salary ranges (often with a slight premium for Omaha's larger corporate presence), they come with higher living costs. For example, a Financial Analyst in downtown Omaha might command 5-8% more in base salary, but the corresponding rent and transportation costs can eat into that gain. Nebraska's smaller markets, like Grand Island or Kearney, often have lower salaries and fewer specialized finance roles, making Bellevue a "sweet spot" between big-city opportunity and small-town affordability.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the base $96,782. Many firms in Bellevue, especially in the insurance and agricultural sectors, offer strong bonus structures and profit-sharing. These can add 10-20% to your total compensation. It's worth asking about these components during interview negotiations.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s run the numbers on a typical monthly budget for a Financial Analyst earning the median salary of $96,782/year. This will give you a real-world view of your purchasing power in Bellevue.

Assumptions:

• Gross Annual Salary: $96,782
• Gross Monthly Salary: $8,065
• Taxes (Est. 25% for NE/Local/FICA): $2,016/month
• Take-Home Pay (After Taxes): $6,049/month
• Average 1BR Rent: $878/month (Bellevue average)
• Utilities (Est.): $150/month
• Car Payment/Insurance (Est.): $500/month (Nebraska is car-dependent)
• Groceries & Essentials: $400/month
• Insurance (Health, etc.): $300/month (assuming employer-subsidized)
• Retirement Savings (10%): $806/month (pre-tax, but critical for planning)

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Category	Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$6,049	After federal, state, and local taxes.
Housing (1BR Apt)	$878	Well below the national average.
Utilities	$150	Varies by season; heating costs can rise in winter.
Transportation	$500	Gas, insurance, and a modest car payment.
Groceries	$400	Affordable local options like Hy-Vee and Aldi.
Health Insurance	$300	Highly dependent on employer plan.
Retirement Savings	$806	Crucial for long-term financial health.
Remaining Discretionary	$1,015	For dining out, entertainment, travel, and other savings.

Can you afford to buy a home?
Absolutely, yes. This is one of Bellevue's biggest selling points. The median home price in Bellevue is approximately $280,000. With a 20% down payment ($56,000), a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% would result in a monthly payment of around $1,425 (including property taxes and insurance). This is significantly higher than the $878 rent, but it's still manageable. A Financial Analyst earning the median salary could comfortably handle this payment, which is a key advantage over cities like Omaha or Lincoln where home prices are substantially higher. The ability to build equity while paying a manageable mortgage is a powerful financial move.

Where the Jobs Are: Bellevue's Major Employers

Bellevue's economy is anchored by a mix of defense, agriculture, and healthcare. Financial Analysts are needed to manage budgets, analyze profitability, and forecast for these large, complex organizations.

1. Offutt Air Force Base: The base is a massive economic driver. While direct civilian analyst roles are competitive, they exist within the Department of Defense (DoD) and its contractors (like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin). These roles focus on cost analysis, budgeting for defense projects, and financial compliance. Hiring is steady, often tied to federal fiscal cycles.

2. Mutual of Omaha: A national insurance giant headquartered just north in Omaha, but with a significant presence and many employees in Bellevue. Their Bellevue campus focuses on operational and claims analysis. Financial Analysts here often specialize in actuarial finance, risk assessment, and product profitability analysis. They are a major local employer and hire consistently.

3. CHI Health (Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy & Bellevue Clinic): Healthcare is a huge sector. Financial Analysts at CHI Health and other regional hospital systems analyze departmental budgets, revenue cycle performance, and cost containment for both hospitals and the sprawling network of clinics. There's a strong need for analysts who understand healthcare finance regulations.

4. Agricultural Cooperatives & Processors: Companies like Gavilon (headquartered in Omaha with major operations in the region) and Aginator (a local fertilizer and grain company) are pillars of the local economy. Analysts here analyze commodity price trends, manage supply chain costs, and forecast farm input demands. This requires a niche skill set but offers deep industry expertise.

5. Union Pacific Railroad: While their corporate headquarters is in Omaha, their operational and maintenance facilities in the Bellevue/South Omaha area employ local finance professionals. Roles focus on operational cost analysis, capital expenditure (CapEx) for infrastructure, and fleet maintenance budgeting.

Hiring Trends: There's a noticeable trend toward hybrid work models. Many Omaha-based companies (including Mutual of Omaha and Union Pacific) are open to analysts living in Bellevue and working remotely 2-3 days a week. This makes commuting to downtown Omaha (a 20-25 minute drive) more palatable. The demand is strongest for analysts with data visualization skills (Tableau, Power BI) and experience with ERP systems like SAP or Oracle.

Insider Tip: The financial community in the Omaha metro is tight-knit. Networking is crucial. Join the Nebraska Chapter of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) or attend events hosted by the University of Nebraska at Omaha's College of Business. Many jobs are filled through referrals before they're ever posted publicly.

Getting Licensed in NE

For most Financial Analyst roles, state-specific licensing is not required. The core credentials are education (a Bachelor's in Finance, Accounting, or Economics) and professional certifications.

However, if you plan to move into areas like financial advising, wealth management, or securities sales, Nebraska has specific requirements.

• Securities Licenses (Series 7, 63, 65, etc.): Administered by FINRA, these are national but require a Nebraska-registered broker-dealer to sponsor you. The examination fees range from $60-$80 per test. There's no state-specific exam.
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP): The gold standard for financial planning. It requires a bachelor's degree, specific coursework, passing the national CFP exam, and 6,000 hours of professional experience. The exam fee is $825. Nebraska does not have a separate state board for CFPs; you are certified nationally.
• State Insurance Licenses: If you analyze insurance products or work in underwriting, you'll need a Nebraska Life & Health or Property & Casualty license. This requires a pre-licensing course (approx. $200-$400) and a state exam ($75).

Timeline to Get Started:

1. For a standard Financial Analyst role: Timeline is 0 days. Your degree and experience are your primary qualifications. You can start applying immediately.
2. To add a Series 7 license: If you secure a job with a sponsoring firm, the process takes 3-4 months (study time and exam scheduling).
3. To earn CFP certification: This is a long-term goal. From starting coursework to passing the exam and fulfilling experience requirements, expect a 2-3 year commitment.

Key Resource: The Nebraska Department of Insurance is the primary regulator for insurance licenses. For securities, FINRA is the governing body. It's wise to check the latest requirements on their websites before pursuing specific licenses.

Best Neighborhoods for Financial Analysts

Bellevue offers distinct neighborhoods, each with a different vibe and commute profile. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize walkability, space, or a quick commute to Offutt.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Lifestyle	Avg. 1BR Rent	Commute Insight
Old Bellevue	Historic, charming, walkable. Quaint main street with local shops and cafes. Close to the river.	$950 - $1,100	To Offutt: 5-10 mins. To Omaha (Downtown): 20-25 mins via I-80. Best for those who want a small-town feel with city access.
Lakeside / North Bellevue	Established, family-oriented, quiet. Larger homes with yards, good schools.	$850 - $1,000	To Offutt: 10-15 mins. To Omaha: 20-25 mins. Ideal for analysts seeking a longer-term home purchase. Very car-dependent.
South Bellevue / Fort Crook Area	Convenient, modern apartments and townhomes. Close to major retailers and Offutt's main gate.	$800 - $950	To Offutt: 5 mins. To Omaha: 25-30 mins. Perfect for minimizing daily commute time to the base.
Midtown Omaha (Just North)	Urban, vibrant, walkable. Trendy restaurants, bars, and cultural events.	$1,100 - $1,300	To Offutt: 15-20 mins. To Omaha (Downtown): 5-10 mins. For those who want city nightlife and don't mind a slightly longer commute to Bellevue.

Insider Tip: If you work at Offutt or a Bellevue-based company, living in South Bellevue or Lakeside will give you an unbeatable commute. If your job is with a Omaha-based firm like Mutual of Omaha and you're in the office 3-5 days a week, consider Midtown Omaha for the lifestyle, even though it's not technically in Bellevue. The commute is still very manageable.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Staying in Bellevue doesn't mean stalling your career. The path forward often involves specialization or moving into leadership.

• Specialty Premiums: Financial Analysts with expertise in agricultural economics, actuarial science, or defense contracting can command salaries at the top of the range or beyond. These are niche skills highly valued by local employers. For example, an analyst who can build commodity price hedging models for an ag cooperative is irreplaceable.
• Advancement Paths: The typical trajectory is from Analyst to Senior Financial Analyst, then to Finance Manager, Controller, or Director of Finance. In Bellevue, many of these "Director" roles are located at the local offices of national companies (like Mutual of Omaha) or within large regional hospitals. The jump from Manager to Director often requires an MBA or a CPA/CFA credential, so planning for that education is key.
• 10-Year Outlook: With 9% projected job growth, the market is not exploding but is reliably expanding. The biggest opportunities will be in two areas: 1) Technology integration—analysts who can leverage AI and advanced data analytics for forecasting will be in high demand. 2) Strategic Finance—moving beyond reporting to become a true business partner who drives profitability. The low cost of living in Bellevue allows you to invest in these skills (e.g., online courses, certifications) without financial strain.

Insider Tip: The lack of giant corporate HQs in Bellevue itself means that lateral moves between companies are common. Building a strong reputation at one employer (e.g., at CHI Health) can open doors at another (e.g., at Mutual of Omaha) a few years down the line. The local finance community is small enough that your professional reputation travels quickly.

The Verdict: Is Bellevue Right for You?

Bellevue presents a clear value proposition for Financial Analysts, but it's not for everyone. Here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons.

Pros	Cons
Cost of Living (92.5) is significantly below the national average.	Limited number of employers (128 jobs) compared to a major metro.
Ability to buy a home on a median analyst's salary is a major financial advantage.	Car dependency is high; public transit is limited.
Stable, growing job market (9% growth) in key local industries.	Fewer networking events and professional conferences locally vs. larger cities.
Short, manageable commutes, especially if living in Bellevue and working locally.	Lifestyle is quieter; less nightlife, cultural diversity, and dining options than Omaha.
High quality of life with parks, trails, and a strong sense of community.	Career ceiling may be lower without moving to Omaha for the most senior corporate roles.

Final Recommendation:

Bellevue is an excellent choice for Financial Analysts who prioritize financial stability, homeownership, and a family-friendly environment over the relentless pace and higher costs of a major coastal city. It's ideal for mid-career professionals looking to put down roots and build long-term equity. If you're an early-career analyst who thrives on the energy of a dense, urban core with endless networking opportunities, you might find Bellevue too quiet and may prefer the downtown Omaha area. However, for the vast majority of analysts seeking a strong salary-to-cost ratio, a solid job market, and a quality of life that's hard to beat, Bellevue is a strategic and rewarding destination.

FAQs

1. How does the median salary of $96,782 actually feel in Bellevue?
It feels very comfortable. With the average 1BR rent at $878/month, your housing costs are a small fraction of your income. You can comfortably afford a car, save for retirement, and still have over $1,000 left monthly for discretionary spending, savings, or a mortgage payment. You won't feel rich, but you'll feel financially secure.

2. Is a commute from Bellevue to downtown Omaha feasible for a Financial Analyst job?
Yes, it's very feasible and common. The drive is typically 20-25 minutes via I-80. Many employers in Omaha are familiar with the Bellevue commute and may offer flexible start/end times or hybrid work (2-3 days remote) to accommodate it. It's a very standard commute in the region.

3. Do I need a CPA or CFA to get a good Financial Analyst job in Bellevue?
No, not for most standard analyst roles. A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and strong analytical skills are sufficient for entry-level and mid-level positions. However, obtaining a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation is highly valuable for advancing to senior, managerial, or specialized roles, especially in corporate finance or investment analysis. It can significantly boost your salary potential.

4. What's the biggest challenge for a Financial Analyst moving to Bellevue?
The biggest challenge can be the limited job market size. While there are 128 jobs and 9% growth, it's not a deep market like Chicago or New York. If you need to change jobs, your options are fewer, and you may have to wait longer for the right opening. Networking is absolutely critical to uncovering opportunities that aren't publicly listed.

**5. How important is knowing about agriculture or insurance for