Salaries in Bellevue, NE

Bellevue, Nebraska, is one of those places where the numbers don’t quite match the stereotype. You’d expect a city packed with military families and rolling hills to have modest paychecks, but the software developer salary here—$124,396—would make a few folks in Austin pause. It’s a wild card.

The real story, though, is the purchasing power. With a cost of living index of 92.5, your dollar stretches about 7.5% further than the national average. That $878 one-bedroom rent isn’t just a Midwestern bargain; it’s a financial relief valve. When you adjust the average salary of $53,617 for local prices, it feels more like $57,964. You’re not getting rich, but you’re not sweating the small stuff either.

Who’s actually thriving here? The tech sector is quietly booming, likely thanks to Offutt Air Force Base’s spillover and a growing defense contractor scene. Healthcare is steady with a big hospital, and the trades are always in demand. But the real surprise? Teachers and electricians here pull down solid, COL-adjusted sixties. You don’t see that everywhere.

Here’s my honest take: wages are holding steady, but the secret’s getting out. The 2.4% unemployment rate means employers are competing for you, which is good. But if you’re in a low-skill role, the ceiling feels a bit low. This city works best for the skilled middle—nurses, accountants, developers—who can command a decent salary without the crushing cost of a coastal city.

The data below breaks it all down: who gets paid what, and how far that money actually goes in Bellevue.