Nebraska Workforce Shows Strength as Metro Areas Add Jobs
At-a-Glance:
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Nebraska Unemployment Rate (April 2026): |
National Unemployment Rate (April 2026): |
Nebraska Labor Force:(April 2026) |
Unemployment Rate Dips Slightly:
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for April 2026 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is down 0.1 percent from the March 2026 unemployment rate and up 0.1 percent over the year.
“Our state’s workforce keeps showing its strength and adaptability,” said Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber. “It’s clear that Nebraskans are committed to their work and contributing to a stable, resilient state economy.”
The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April 2026 is 4.3 percent, unchanged from the April 2026 unemployment rate and up 0.1 percent from the April 2025 unemployment rate. National unemployment rate rankings are available here.
Benchmarked substate labor force data for 2016-2025 is now available at NEworks.nebraska.gov.
Total Non-Farm Employment:
Non-farm employment, the number of jobs filled, was 1,057,727 in April, up 10,330 over the month and down 4,072 over the year. All of the metro areas, as well as rural Nebraska, saw growth in the number from March to April. Private industries with the most over-the-month growth were leisure and hospitality (up 3,540 jobs); mining and construction; (up 2,049 jobs); and trade, transportation and utilities (up 1,326 jobs). The largest over-the-year growth came from private education and health services (up 3,756 jobs), and mining and construction (up 2,576 jobs).
Top 3 Nebraska Industries by March to April Growth
| Industry | March-April Change | Year-Over-Year Change |
| Leisure & Hospitality | 3,540 | -72 |
| Mining & Construction | 2,049 | 2,576 |
| Trade, Transportation, & Utilities | 1,326 | -2,170 |
| Statewide All Industries | 10,330 | -4,072 |
Data Release Schedule:
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Release Date |
Data to be Released |
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June 23 |
May 2026 preliminary and April 2026 revised labor force and non-farm employment data |
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July 21 |
June 2026 preliminary and May 2026 revised labor force and non-farm employment data |
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August 21 |
July 2026 preliminary and June 2026 revised labor force and non-farm employment data |
Helpful Links:
- Nebraska Employment Data
- NEworks Labor Market Information
- NDOL Press Releases
- National Rate Rankings
Benchmarking Explained:
Benchmarked unemployment refers to an annual update by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) that adjusts previous estimates of jobs and unemployment using confirmed employment records, such as tax filings or reports from employers. BLS programs, including Current Employment Statistics (CES) and Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) are included in these programs. Figures are revised monthly as new information becomes available, and annual BLS benchmarking may also lead to revisions. This ensures the numbers reflect real job-market conditions by comparing earlier estimates to recent verified data. For more on how benchmarking works click the link: CES monthly revisions and annual benchmarking
Technical Notes:
The labor force includes employed individuals and those actively seeking work, as determined by a Census Bureau survey. People may be counted as unemployed regardless of whether they claim unemployment benefits, depending on their survey responses. Those not working or seeking employment are excluded from the labor force and the unemployment rate calculation.