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Minimum Wage in Nebraska

Nebraska's minimum wage is $15.00 per hour in 2026, tipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $2.13, and the rate rises by 1.75 percent on January 1, 2027.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Nebraska at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$15.00
Applies to employers of 4 or more employees. A youth wage of $13.50 may be paid to some workers aged 14 and 15.
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$2.13
Wages plus tips must equal at least the full minimum wage.
Next scheduled increase
1.75 percent increase on January 1, 2027
Then 1.75 percent every January 1. The Department of Labor must publish each new rate by October 15; the 2027 amount was not confirmed.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Nebraska

What is the minimum wage in Nebraska in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in Nebraska: $15.00. Applies to employers of 4 or more employees. A youth wage of $13.50 may be paid to some workers aged 14 and 15.

What is the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in Nebraska?

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in Nebraska: $2.13. Wages plus tips must equal at least the full minimum wage.

When is the next minimum wage increase in Nebraska?

Next scheduled increase in Nebraska: 1.75 percent increase on January 1, 2027. Then 1.75 percent every January 1. The Department of Labor must publish each new rate by October 15; the 2027 amount was not confirmed.

Where do the Nebraska minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-1203. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

LB258 (2026), effective July 18, 2026, replaced the voter-approved inflation formula with a fixed 1.75 percent yearly increase and added a youth minimum wage.

What this means in practice

Check which rate applies before setting pay. Coverage rules, employer size thresholds, and exemptions for certain jobs or industries differ, and a local ordinance may require more than the state rate. The statute linked on each state page is the starting point.

Where a lower tipped cash wage is allowed, the employer usually must make up the difference whenever tips fall short of the full minimum wage for the pay period. Keeping accurate records of hours worked and tips reported helps show that every pay period met the minimum.

Rates can change on fixed dates, often January 1 or July 1, and some states adjust them each year for inflation. Reviewing pay rates, offer letters, and employment contracts ahead of each scheduled change helps avoid underpayment claims.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.