The Nebraska state minimum wage increased by $1.50 in January 2023, from $9.00 (2022) to $10.50 per hour in 2023. This represents a 16.6% increase from 2022 to 2023. The minimum wage in the US is different from most other countries, like most, there is a national minimum wage (Federal Minimum Wage) which sits at $7.25 per hour. However, each individual state has the right to set its own minimum wage.
As a Nebraska business owner, it is important to familiarize yourself with the minimum wage so that you can pay your employees the correct and legal wage requirements. Of course, the minimum wage is just the lowest threshold that you can pay employees, but there are many industries that still start their base pay at the Nebraska state minimum wage level. For employees, you will also want to familiarize yourself with the min wage to make sure you are being paid fairly and your workers’ rights are protected.
The Nebraska minimum wage in 2023 currently sits at $10.50 per hour after a January 1, 2023 increase. This was the first time that Nebraska increased its statewide minimum wage rate since 2016! The Nebraska minimum wage did finally go up in 2023, increasing by 16.6% from $9.00 per hour to $10.50 per hour. As you can see on the graphic below, this was the first Nebraska minimum wage increase in many years.
If you are a full-time worker on Nebraska state minimum wage, your earnings could be as follows:
- Daily Minimum Wage: $84.00 (based on an 8-hour working day).
- Weekly Minimum Wage: $420.00 (based on a 40-hour week).
- Yearly Minimum Wage: $21,840.00 (based on being paid 52 weeks per year).
There has been no increase to the Nebraska state minimum wage since 2016, each year the minimum wage increase is evaluated on the state’s consumer price index which accounts for the cost of living and inflation within the state.
If you would like to learn more information about the wage and labor laws in Nebraska, check out the Nebraska Department of Labor website. You can view and download the official Nebraska minimum wage labor law poster for 2022-2023 here at no charge. Employers must display a poster outlining the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), ensuring that accurate employee time and pay records are kept.
Nebraska Minimum Wage History
The table below provides the current rate and history of Nebraska’s minimum wage over the past 40+ years since 1983. You can see when there were increases in the minimum wage, how much they were, and what percentage increase it represents each year.
| State | Wage | $ Wage Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2023 | $10.50 | $1.50 | 16.6% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2022 | $9.00 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2021 | $9.00 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2020 | $9.00 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2019 | $9.00 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2018 | $9.00 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2017 | $9.00 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2016 | $9.00 | $1.00 | 12.5% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2015 | $8.00 | $0.75 | 10.3% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2014 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2013 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2012 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2011 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2010 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2009 | $7.25 | $0.70 | 11% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2008 | $6.55 | $0 | 11.96% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2007 | $5.85 | $0.70 | 13.59% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2006 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2005 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2004 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2003 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2002 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2001 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 2000 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1999 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1998 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1997 | $5.15 | $0.90 | 21.17% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1996 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1995 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1994 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1993 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1992 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1991 | $4.25 | $0.90 | 26.86% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1990 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1989 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1988 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1987 | $3.35 | $1.75 | 109.37% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1986 | $1.60 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1985 | $1.60 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1984 | $1.60 | $0 | 0% |
| Nebraska Minimum Wage 1983 | $1.60 | $0 | 0% |
Nebraska Minimum Wage Exemptions
In addition to the regular minimum wage rate, there are a few Nebraska state minimum wage exemptions that typically depend on your age or employment situation. Below are the various minimum wage exemptions with some situational examples.
Nebraska Student Minimum Wage
The minimum wage for student employees in Nebraska is 85% of the state minimum wage, making their hourly pay $8.93 per hour in 2023.
This hourly rate is for any hours worked up to 20 hours per week. As a student employee, once you surpass 20 hours per week, you will be eligible to be paid the Nebraska minimum wage rate of $10.50 per hour.
Being a student can be financially challenging, leading many students to pick up part-time jobs to make extra money while studying. Despite a student minimum wage rate, many Nebraska employers will not necessarily follow it and pay you equal to or more than the statewide minimum wage.
Many work-study programs are available at universities, which is a route many students go down. Still, coffee shop, cafe, bar, and restaurant jobs are commonly taken by students as they can work them into their class schedule.
Nebraska Under 20 Minimum Wage
If you are under 20 years old in Nebraska, federal law allows your employer to pay you as little as $4.25 per hour for your first 90 days of employment.
Once the 90-day period is over, you will be eligible to be paid the 2023 Nebraska minimum wage of $10.50 per hour or potentially even more.
Fortunately for young workers, this is 90 calendar days and not 90 working days; therefore, it can be completed relatively quickly and within about three months.
Nebraska Tipped Minimum Wage
If you are a tipped employee in Nebraska (someone who receives regular tips as a part of their job) then you are eligible to be paid a minimum wage of $2.13 per hour, with a tip credit of $8.37 per hour, ensuring that you reach the statewide minimum wage regardless if you make enough hourly tips.
Nebraska Overtime Minimum Wage
Once you work over 40 hours a week, you are eligible to be paid an overtime rate of 1.5 times your hourly wage for every hour you work past 40. So, the overtime minimum wage in Nebraska is $15.75 per hour, 1.5 times the minimum wage of $10.50 per hour.
