What is the minimum wage in Nebraska?

$15.00 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.

What is the tipped minimum wage in Nebraska?

$2.13 an hour in cash wages, provided tips bring the employee up to $15.00 an hour.

When does the Nebraska minimum wage go up?

No increase had been announced as of October 9, 2026.

Nebraska minimum wage

Minimum wage in Nebraska, in effect since January 1, 2026

$15.00 an hour

That is $7.75 above the federal minimum of $7.25. Employers in Nebraska pay the higher state rate.

Next increase: none announced as of October 9, 2026. By statute (LB258, 2026) the rate rises 1.75% each January 1 from 2027; NDOL must publish the new rate by October 15.

Standard rate

$15.00

since January 1, 2026

Tipped cash wage

$2.13

Max tip credit $12.87

Next change

None set

as of 2026

Federal minimum

$7.25

unchanged since 2009

Tipped employees

Employers in Nebraska can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, taking a tip credit of up to $12.87, as long as tips bring the employee to at least $15.00 for every hour worked. If they don't, the employer makes up the difference.

Youth and training wages

Ages 14 and 15 (not emancipated): youth minimum wage of $13.50 (Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-1203(5), effective July 18, 2026). New employees aged 16 to 19: training wage of $13.50 for 90 days through Dec. 31, 2026 (48-1203.01). Student-learners: at least 75% of the minimum wage.

How future increases are set

By statute (LB258, 2026) the rate rises 1.75% each January 1 from 2027; NDOL must publish the new rate by October 15.

Exceptions and details

2027 rate not listed: 1.75% of $15.00 gives $15.2625 and the statute states no rounding rule for the general rate, so we wait for NDOL's Oct. 15 figure.
Applies to employers of 4 or more employees (DOL state table).
Tipped employees: cash wage $2.13; wages plus tips must equal at least the minimum wage.
Training wage rises 1.5% each Jan. 1 from 2027, rounded to the nearest cent (48-1203.01).
Omaha and Lincoln local ordinances are handled separately.

Common questions

What is the minimum wage in Nebraska?: $15.00 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Nebraska?: $2.13 an hour in cash wages, provided tips bring the employee up to $15.00 an hour.
When does the Nebraska minimum wage go up?: No increase had been announced as of October 9, 2026.

Running payroll in Nebraska?

Recent changes

Last verified against the official source on October 9, 2026.

No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.

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Sources

Nebraska Department of Labor · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026

We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.