Generator installation cost in Nebraska
About $10,769 to $15,269 is the installed price in Nebraska for a whole house generator running on natural gas at 22 kW. Local electricians make $30.75 each hour, which is 10% under the US rate of $34.37. This wage determines the $2,700 to $4,900 electrician charge.
Not certain 22 kW is the right size for you? Answer three sizing questions.
Installed costs in Nebraska, by size
Fuel use at half load, plus Nebraska prices. For every model, Generac posts a fuel table. The 18 kW, 24 kW plus 26 kW units are rated to use no more fuel each hour than the next smaller size, so hourly fuel use doesn't climb in step with kW.
| Size | Natural gas, installed | Gas at half load | Propane, installed | Propane at half load | Fuel figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kW | $8,019 to $12,519 | $1.83/h | $8,319 to $12,919 | $1.77/h | Generac Guardian 10 kW |
| 14 kW | $9,349 to $13,849 | $3.54/h | $9,649 to $14,249 | $3.30/h | Generac Guardian 14 kW |
| 18 kW | $10,169 to $14,669 | $3.07/h | $10,469 to $15,069 | $3.10/h | Generac Guardian 18 kW |
| 22 kW | $10,769 to $15,269 | $3.70/h | $11,069 to $15,669 | $4.62/h | Generac Guardian 22 kW |
| 24 kW | $11,189 to $15,689 | $3.69/h | $11,489 to $16,089 | $4.62/h | Generac Guardian 24 kW |
| 26 kW | $11,619 to $16,119 | $3.41/h | $11,919 to $16,519 | $3.76/h | Generac Guardian 26 kW |
What makes up the 22 kW price in Nebraska?
Labor costs up to $600 less here than it would at US average pay, and the $30.75 hourly rate ranks 36th of 51.
| Line, 22 kW | Natural gas | Propane | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generator | $6,309 | $6,309 | Generac list price of the 22 kW bundle, minus the switch |
| Transfer switch | $1,060 | $1,060 | the gap between Generac's listings that include the switch and those that leave it out |
| Electrician: switch, wiring, start-up | $2,700 to $4,900 | $2,700 to $4,900 | published install ranges, using Nebraska's $30.75 hourly wage (BLS) |
| Fuel line | $400 to $1,800 | $700 to $2,200 | The gas line begins at the meter, while the propane line begins at the tank. |
| Pad and permit | $300 to $1,200 | $300 to $1,200 | composite pad or slab, local fees |
| Installed | $10,769 to $15,269 | $11,069 to $15,669 | propane leaves out the tank |
Nebraska fuel costs
| Fuel | Price | 22 kW an hour | Three days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas | $18.16 per 1,000 ft³ | $3.70 | $267 |
| Propane | $1.82 a gallon | $4.62 | $332 (182 gal) |
In Nebraska, gas is the cheaper fuel for a 22 kW generator at half load, at $3.70 an hour versus $4.62 on propane. For residential gas, this state ranks 17th cheapest of 51.
| Propane tank | Usable at 80% | 22 kW at half load | Fill at Nebraska price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 gal | 200 gal | 79 h | $365 |
| 500 gal | 400 gal | 158 h | $730 |
Nebraska outages
In 2025, customers in Nebraska averaged 543 minutes without power. That's above the US figure of 269 and ranks 5th among 51. Major storms caused 84% of it, while ordinary days gave 86 minutes. Over the past ten years, 2024 ranked worst at 698 minutes. That ten-year average is 254, and 2025 came in 288 minutes above it.
Each year from 2016 onward
| Year | Minutes out, all events | Rank of 51 states | Without major storms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 543 | 5th | 86 |
| 2024 | 698 | 11th | 70 |
| 2023 | 69 | 51st | 56 |
| 2022 | 73 | 49th | 56 |
| 2021 | 557 | 9th | 60 |
| 2020 | 115 | 45th | 67 |
| 2019 | 79 | 50th | 59 |
| 2018 | 186 | 30th | 77 |
| 2017 | 161 | 36th | 73 |
| 2016 | 63 | 51st | 49 |
Nebraska utilities and their 2025 outages
| Utility | Customers | Minutes out | Outages each | Minutes per outage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha Public Power District | 407,892 | 558 | 1.57 | 356 |
| Lincoln Electric System | 154,489 | 241 | 0.74 | 325 |
| Nebraska Public Power District | 95,148 | 195 | 0.90 | 217 |
| Norris Public Power District | 29,031 | 2,541 | 3.12 | 815 |
| City of Grand Island | 27,291 | 37 | 1.00 | 37 |
During 2025, Norris Public Power District customers lacked power for 2,541 minutes. City of Grand Island customers lost 37 minutes. The 68.5 to one ratio means the company that serves your street has more weight than the state's 543 minute figure. Across all utilities, the customer-weighted average was 1.32 power losses per customer during the year. That's less than the US rate of 1.35. Across Omaha Public Power District lines, outages averaged 356 minutes, or about 5.9 hours. That's $21.96 in gas for a 22 kW generator at half load.
FEMA-declared major disasters in Nebraska since 2016
18 major disasters have been declared in all, and they break down as 1 snowstorm, 1 wildfire, 1 winter storm, 1 tornado, 12 severe storms and 2 floods. The most recent one came in August 2026, and COVID-19 is not included. Among the disasters, 2 were winter, snow or ice storms, and a cold-weather kit ensures the engine keeps starting. In fire country, utilities also shut off lines on purpose when the wind is high, and such shutoffs don't appear as declarations; 1 was a wildfire.
Which counties show up most often? Fillmore County (10), Douglas County (9), Saunders County (9), Washington County (8), Sarpy County (7), Burt County (6), Cass County (6) and Cuming County (6).
| Declared | Disaster | FEMA number |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | DR-4928 |
| June 2026 | Wildfires | DR-4920 |
| October 2025 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding | DR-4896 |
| May 2025 | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds | DR-4868 |
| October 2024 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | DR-4838 |
| September 2024 | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding | DR-4822 |
Nebraska and its neighboring states
| State | 22 kW on gas, installed | Wage | Minutes out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $10,769 to $15,269 | $30.75 | 543 |
| Colorado | $10,969 to $15,569 | $31.88 | 273 |
| Iowa | $10,769 to $15,269 | $30.38 | 183 |
| Kansas | $11,069 to $15,769 | $33.27 | 193 |
| Missouri | $11,169 to $16,169 | $34.77 | 466 |
| South Dakota | $10,669 to $15,069 | $29.8 | 284 |
| Wyoming | $11,269 to $16,469 | $35.99 | 224 |
Among 6 neighbors, just 1 has lower installation costs. Installation costs are lowest in South Dakota at $10,669 and highest in Wyoming at $11,269. Price gaps are smaller than outage gaps. In 2025, Missouri logged 466 minutes, compared with 543 for Nebraska.
Data sources: BLS wages (May 2025), EIA gas series (March to August 2026), EIA propane series (October 26, 2026), EIA outages, EIA-861, FEMA. Every state.