Nebraska's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Nebraska is $15.00 an hour, $7.75 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. It rises to $15.26 on Jan 1, 2027. Full time, that is $31,200 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $26,396 a year, or $1,015.24 every two weeks.
What the Nebraska minimum wage pays
| At $15.00 | From Jan 1, 2027 ($15.26) | |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $15.00 | $15.26 |
| Per 8-hour day | $120.00 | $122.08 |
| Per 40-hour week | $600.00 | $610.40 |
| Every two weeks | $1,200.00 | $1,220.80 |
| Per month | $2,600.00 | $2,645.07 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $31,200.00 | $31,740.80 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $1,015.24 | $1,031.08 |
| Take-home per year | $26,396.24 | $26,808.08 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Nebraska income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $15,600 a year and about $14,125 after taxes.
Nebraska minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Nebraska's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour in 2026. It rises to $15.26 an hour on January 1, 2027, and then goes up each January. The state law covers employers with 4 or more employees. | Nebraska Department of Labor, State of Nebraska Minimum Wage |
| Tipped employees | If you earn tips, your employer can pay a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, but your wages plus tips must reach the full minimum wage. If they fall short, your employer must make up the difference. | Nebraska Legislature, Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-1203 |
| Youth minimum wage | Since July 18, 2026, employers may pay workers aged 14 and 15 a youth minimum wage of $13.50 an hour. It stays at $13.50 until January 1, 2030. | Nebraska Legislature, Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-1203 |
| Overtime | Nebraska has no state overtime rule of its own. Overtime follows the federal law: time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek if your job is not exempt. The state sends overtime questions to the US Department of Labor. | Nebraska Department of Labor, Nebraska wage facts sheet |
How Nebraska's minimum wage compares
Nebraska has the 13th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC, tied with Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri.
The typical (median) worker in Nebraska earns $23.55 an hour, so the minimum wage is 64% of the median wage. 10% of Nebraska workers earn less than $14.48 an hour and 25% less than $17.97 (BLS, May 2025, all 1,024,370 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Nebraska, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $13.68 | 2,830 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $13.94 | 30,060 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $13.99 | 1,250 |
| Dishwashers | $14.30 | 2,170 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $14.48 | 2,620 |
| Bartenders | $14.51 | 7,320 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $31,200 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | None |
| 1 child | $3,259 | $4,421 |
| 2 children | $5,777 | $7,308 |
| 3 children or more | $6,692 | $8,223 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $31,200 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $780 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,560. Source
Nebraska minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Nebraska?
$15.00 an hour. It rises to $15.26 on Jan 1, 2027.
How much is the Nebraska minimum wage a year?
$31,200 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,600 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $26,396.
How much is the Nebraska minimum wage after taxes?
About $1,015.24 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Nebraska taxes.
Is Nebraska's minimum wage going up?
Yes. It rises to $15.26 an hour on Jan 1, 2027, adding $541 a year for a full-time worker.
What is time and a half at the Nebraska minimum wage?
$22.50 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Arizona minimum wage ($15.15) · Maine minimum wage ($15.10) · Delaware minimum wage ($15.00) · Florida minimum wage ($15.00) · Illinois minimum wage ($15.00) · Maryland minimum wage ($15.00) · Massachusetts minimum wage ($15.00) · Missouri minimum wage ($15.00)
Related
Nebraska paycheck calculator · $15 an hour is how much a year · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $15.00
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.