News Releases
Media Requests: NDOL.PIO@nebraska.gov
5/1/2026
Lincoln, NE– Nebraska businesses, educational institutions and workforce partners celebrated National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) with a series of events and proclamations throughout the state. NAW is held from April 26 to May 2, 2026.
Lincoln, NE– Nebraska businesses, educational institutions and workforce partners celebrated National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) with a series of events and proclamations throughout the state. NAW is held from April 26 to May 2, 2026.
3/27/2026
The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) has released a report titled Building Nebraska’s Future Workforce: A Statewide Landscape Assessment. The report presents a comprehensive outline of both the state’s considerable strengths and the critical opportunities ahead.
The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) has released a report titled Building Nebraska’s Future Workforce: A Statewide Landscape Assessment. The report presents a comprehensive outline of both the state’s considerable strengths and the critical opportunities ahead.
12/22/2025
Nebraska’s minimum wage will increase to $15 per hour effective January 1, 2025. In accordance with an initiative passed by voters in November of 2022, the minimum wage has increased $1.50 each year.
Nebraska’s minimum wage will increase to $15 per hour effective January 1, 2025. In accordance with an initiative passed by voters in November of 2022, the minimum wage has increased $1.50 each year.
10/20/2026
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for September 2026 is 2.9 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the August 2026 unemployment rate and the same as the September 2025 rate.
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for September 2026 is 2.9 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the August 2026 unemployment rate and the same as the September 2025 rate.
9/18/2026
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for August 2026 is 2.9 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the July 2026 unemployment rate and the same as the August 2025 rate.
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for August 2026 is 2.9 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the July 2026 unemployment rate and the same as the August 2025 rate.
8/21/2026
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for July 2026 is 2.9 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the June 2026 unemployment rate and the same as the July 2025 rate.
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for July 2026 is 2.9 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the June 2026 unemployment rate and the same as the July 2025 rate.
7/21/2026
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for June 2026 is 2.9 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is down from May 2026 unemployment rate and unchanged over the year.
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for June 2026 is 2.9 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is down from May 2026 unemployment rate and unchanged over the year.
6/23/2026
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for May 2026 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the April 2026 unemployment rate and up 0.1 percent over the year.
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for May 2026 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the April 2026 unemployment rate and up 0.1 percent over the year.
5/22/2026
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.
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.
5/6/2026
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for March 2026 is 3.1 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the February 2026 unemployment rate and up 0.2 percent over the year.
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for March 2026 is 3.1 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the February 2026 unemployment rate and up 0.2 percent over the year.
4/22/2026
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for February 2026 is 3.1 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is up 0.1 percentage points from the January 2026 unemployment rate of 3.0 and up 0.2 percent over the year.
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for February 2026 is 3.1 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is up 0.1 percentage points from the January 2026 unemployment rate of 3.0 and up 0.2 percent over the year.
4/8/2026
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for January 2026 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate has been unchanged going back to November 2025 and is up 0.1 percentage points from the January 2025 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent.
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for January 2026 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate has been unchanged going back to November 2025 and is up 0.1 percentage points from the January 2025 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent.
12/13/2024
Nebraska’s minimum wage will increase to $13.50 per hour effective January 1, 2025. In accordance with an initiative passed by voters in November of 2022, the minimum wage will increase $1.50 each year through 2026, followed by an annual cost of living increase beginning in 2027.
Nebraska’s minimum wage will increase to $13.50 per hour effective January 1, 2025. In accordance with an initiative passed by voters in November of 2022, the minimum wage will increase $1.50 each year through 2026, followed by an annual cost of living increase beginning in 2027.
12/20/2023
LINCOLN – Nebraska’s minimum wage will increase to $12 per hour effective January 1, 2024. In accordance with an initiative passed by voters in November of 2022, the minimum wage will increase $1.50 each year through 2026, followed by an annual cost of living increase beginning in 2027. The minimum hourly wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour. Employers are responsible for ensuring that wages and tips combined equal at least the minimum wage.
LINCOLN – Nebraska’s minimum wage will increase to $12 per hour effective January 1, 2024. In accordance with an initiative passed by voters in November of 2022, the minimum wage will increase $1.50 each year through 2026, followed by an annual cost of living increase beginning in 2027. The minimum hourly wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour. Employers are responsible for ensuring that wages and tips combined equal at least the minimum wage.
7/2/2026
Applications are now being accepted for the Nebraska Workforce Retention & Attraction Grant through the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL).
Applications are now being accepted for the Nebraska Workforce Retention & Attraction Grant through the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL).
4/22/2026
Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber highlighted major progress in workforce development, industry partnerships, and opportunities for kids during Governor Jim Pillen’s Cabinet meeting Monday morning. Thurber emphasized the state’s latest initiatives and the strength of collaboration across communities.
Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber highlighted major progress in workforce development, industry partnerships, and opportunities for kids during Governor Jim Pillen’s Cabinet meeting Monday morning. Thurber emphasized the state’s latest initiatives and the strength of collaboration across communities.
4/17/2026
LINCOLN, NE — The Nebraska Department of Labor is hosting a free Unemployment Insurance Workshop in Lexington to help job seekers understand the unemployment process and confidently begin or continue their job search.
LINCOLN, NE — The Nebraska Department of Labor is hosting a free Unemployment Insurance Workshop in Lexington to help job seekers understand the unemployment process and confidently begin or continue their job search.
1/27/2026
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for December 2025 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate has been unchanged in the last eight months that data was collected and is up 0.1 percentage points from the December 2024 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent.
Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for December 2025 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate has been unchanged in the last eight months that data was collected and is up 0.1 percentage points from the December 2024 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent.
1/7/2026
LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for November 2025 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate has been unchanged in the last seven months that data was collected and is up 0.1 percentage points from the November 2024 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent. October 2025 labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are not available, as key inputs necessary for producing these estimates were not collected due to the recent government shutdown.
LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for November 2025 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate has been unchanged in the last seven months that data was collected and is up 0.1 percentage points from the November 2024 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent. October 2025 labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are not available, as key inputs necessary for producing these estimates were not collected due to the recent government shutdown.
12/5/2025
LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for September 2025 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the August 2025 unemployment rate and is up 0.1 percentage points from the September 2024 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent. The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September 2025 is 4.4 percent, up 0.1 percentage points from the August 2025 unemployment rate and up 0.3 percent from the September 2024 unemployment rate.
LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for September 2025 is 3.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the August 2025 unemployment rate and is up 0.1 percentage points from the September 2024 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent. The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September 2025 is 4.4 percent, up 0.1 percentage points from the August 2025 unemployment rate and up 0.3 percent from the September 2024 unemployment rate.
9/19/2025
The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) is launching a new grant program for manufacturing modernization projects in the state.
The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) is launching a new grant program for manufacturing modernization projects in the state.