Salaries in Hastings, NE

You might assume a place like Hastings, Nebraska, is stuck in a low-wage rut. You'd be wrong. In 2026, this town of 25,005 has a software developer pulling in $123,633—a salary that, thanks to a cost of living index of 90.5, feels more like a $136,611 paycheck in a typical American city. That’s a surprising bit of punch from a place many would write off.

Let's talk real purchasing power. With the median household income at $61,202 and a one-bedroom apartment averaging $859 a month, your paycheck stretches here. The national cost of living average is 100; Hastings sits at 90.5. That 9.5% discount isn't just a number—it means a registered nurse making $83,617 has the financial breathing room of someone earning nearly $92,400 elsewhere. It’s a genuine bargain, especially if you work in healthcare or tech.

Who’s thriving? Besides the obvious tech outliers, the healthcare and skilled trades sectors are the bedrock. You’ve got major employers like Mary Lanning Healthcare and a steady demand for accountants and electricians, who all sit comfortably above the city's average salary of $55,382. Education is solid, with 28% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, feeding those professional roles. The unemployment rate is a razor-tight 2.4%, which tells you labor demand is real.

Here’s my honest take: the catch isn’t the wages, it’s the ceiling. While a teacher’s $61,855 goes far here, career growth can feel limited compared to a major metro. But for someone in the right field looking to build serious equity and savings, Hastings is a stealth wealth-builder. The data below breaks down exactly which roles get you that financial edge in this unexpectedly shrewd market.