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Chemistry Degree in Omaha, NE — Salary & ROI 2026

Chemistry degree analysis for Omaha, NE. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$48K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$74K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4.8 yrs

in Omaha

Cost of Living

87

index (100 = avg)

Chemistry in Omaha, NE Overview

Omaha is one of Nebraska's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 33,866. Public tuition averages $8,268/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Although national enrollment in Chemistry has been declining, graduates with skills in Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Omaha is approximately $47,850, growing to $73,950 by mid-career.

Category

STEM

Local Colleges

23

Public Tuition

$8,268/yr

Private Tuition

$26,461/yr

Room & Board

$12,792/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$11,593/yr

Unemployment

5.6%

Graduation Rate

56%

Chemistry Salary in Omaha (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Omaha's cost of living index of 87 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,850($-7,150 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$73,950($-11,050 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$95,700($-14,300 vs national)

Note: National average Chemistry salary: $55,000 starting, $85,000 mid-career, $110,000 senior level.Omaha adjustment factor: 0.87x based on the local cost of living index.

Chemistry ROI Calculator for Omaha

Estimate your return on investment for a Chemistry degree using local Omaha tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,268 | Private avg: $26,461

Omaha avg aid: $11,593/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$84,240

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$17,400

vs HS diploma in Omaha

ROI Payback Period

4.8 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Omaha

$394,260

Lifetime earnings premium ($478,500) minus total education cost ($84,240)

Student Loan Payoff for Chemistry in Omaha

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$84,240
Monthly Payment$957
Total Interest$30,543
% of Monthly Income24%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$84,240
Monthly Payment$1,648
Total Interest$14,655
Interest Savings$15,888

Colleges in Omaha for Chemistry

University of Nebraska at Omaha

public

$8,268/yr

$33,072 total

Creighton University

private

$44,146/yr

$176,584 total

Bellevue University

private

$8,775/yr

$35,100 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Metropolitan Community College Omaha

$3,540/yr

Top Employers for Chemistry in Omaha

Omaha offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Chemistry graduates. National top employers in this field include:

PfizerDow ChemicalBASF3MMerck

Key Omaha Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Chemistry Job Titles

ChemistLab TechnicianQuality Control Analyst

Chemistry Degree in Omaha — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

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