Statutory minimum wage in Nebraska (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Nebraska has a state minimum wage of $15.00 per hour through 31 December 2026 under Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-1203. The rate rises by 1.75% on 1 January 2027. A youth minimum wage of $13.50 per hour may be paid to non-emancipated employees aged 14 or 15.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $15.00 per hour [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | A youth minimum wage of $13.50 per hour may be paid to a non-emancipated employee aged 14 or 15. Student-learners in a bona fide vocational training programme must be paid at least 75% of the applicable minimum wage. [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | 1 January 2027 [1] |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | $2.13 per hour plus all tips; wages and tips together must reach the minimum wage ($15.00 per hour in 2026). [1] |
Notes
- The Wage and Hour Act applies to employers with four or more employees at one time (seasonal employment of up to 20 weeks excepted), under 48-1202. The cash wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour plus gratuities. Law amended by LB258, effective 18 July 2026.
- The statute raises the rate by 1.75% on 1 January 2027 with no rounding rule, and requires the Department of Labor to publish the new rate by 15 October 2026; the amount was not yet confirmed from an official source.
Sources
- Nebraska Legislature: Nebraska Revised Statute 48-1203 Minimum wage; youth minimum wage; adjustments (Internet Archive snapshot of 31 August 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Nebraska and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | Yes | $15.00 per hour | $13.50 aged 14-15; 75% for student-learners | 1 January 2027 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Colorado | Yes | $15.16 per hour (2026) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Iowa | Yes | $7.25 per hour (or federal if higher) | An employer is not required to pay the state hourly wage until the employee has completed 90 calendar days of employment; before that the employer must pay at least $6.35 per hour. | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kansas | Yes | $7.25 per hour (state law) | 18 and under part-time not covered | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Missouri | Yes | $15.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| South Dakota | Yes (state law) | $11.85 per hour | Under 20: federal opportunity wage allowed | 1 January 2027 (annual CPI adjustment) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Wyoming | Yes (state law, $5.15) | $7.25 (federal; state basic rate $5.15) | Under 20: $4.25 for first 90 days | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Nebraska
- CannabisPossession for personal use: 1 oz or less: infraction, $300 fine (first time)
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph residential, 20 business · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 50-65 mph depending on road type
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (provisional operator's permit) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class I, II, III (bicycle)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (licensed sellers)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed ban only for under-21s, prohibited persons
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: No (texting/reading banned) · Hands-free use: Calls not restricted
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Under 18 only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (a minor is under 21) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (a minor is under 21)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.