News Releases

Media Requests: NDOL.PIO@nebraska.gov
12/22/2023

LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for November 2023 is 2.3 percent, seasonally adjusted, and ranks fifth in the nation. The rate is up 0.1 percentage points from the October 2023 rate of 2.2 percent and is down 0.4 percentage points from the November 2022 rate of 2.7 percent. National unemployment rate rankings are available here: bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm.
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.
11/17/2023

LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for October 2023 is 2.2 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is up 0.1 percentage points from the September 2023 rate of 2.1 percent and is down 0.5 percentage points from the October 2022 rate of 2.7 percent.
10/23/2023

NDOL has compiled survey data from households and businesses to produce Labor Availability and Hiring Needs Reports for Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, and Lexington.
10/20/2023

LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for September 2023 is 2.1 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is up 0.1 percentage points from the August 2023 rate of 2.0 percent and is down 0.5 percentage points from the September 2022 rate of 2.6 percent. National unemployment rate rankings are available here: bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm.
9/19/2023

LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for August 2023 is 2.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the July 2023 rate of and is down 0.6 percentage points from the August 2022 rate of 2.6 percent. National unemployment rate rankings are available here: bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm.
8/18/2023

LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for July 2023 is 2.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is up 0.1 percentage points from the June 2023 rate of 1.9 percent and is down 0.4 percentage points from the July 2022 rate of 2.4 percent. The state's ranking is tied for fifth lowest with North Dakota. National unemployment rate rankings are available here: bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm.
7/24/2023

NDOL has compiled survey data from households and businesses to produce Labor Availability and Hiring Needs Reports for Crete, Seward, and York.
7/21/2023

LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for June 2023 is 1.9 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is unchanged from the May 2023 rate and is down 0.3 percentage points from the June 2022 rate of 2.2 percent.
6/16/2023

LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for May 2023 is 1.9 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is down 0.1 percentage points from the April 2023 rate of 2.0 percent and is down 0.2 percentage points from the May 2022 rate of 2.1 percent. The rate is tied for lowest in the country.
5/19/2023

LINCOLN - Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for April 2023 is 2.0 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is down 0.1 percentage points from the March 2023 rate of 2.1 percent and is the same as the April 2022 rate of 2.0 percent.
4/21/2023

Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for March 2023 is 2.1 percent, seasonally adjusted.
3/24/2023

The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) announced today that Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for February 2023 is 2.3 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is down 0.2 percentage points from the January 2023 rate of 2.5 percent and is up 0.3 percentage points from the February 2023 rate of 2.0 percent. National unemployment rate rankings are available here: bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm.
3/21/2023

NDOL has released the Greater Lincoln Area Labor Availability and Hiring Needs Report. The report covers results from surveys completed by employers and workers in parts of Lancaster, Saunders, Cass, Otoe, Gage, and Seward counties. The survey was conducted from August to October 2022. The survey area population in total includes over 254,500 adults and an estimated total labor force of 185,601, with 1,220 businesses and 1,059 households responding. A report on the survey findings is
3/13/2023

The Nebraska Workforce Development Board is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Workforce Development Excellence Award. The annual award recognizes an individual, organization, or employer for exceptional contributions or achievements in workforce development in Nebraska. Nominations are due March 31, 2023.
3/13/2023

The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) announced today that Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for January 2023 is 2.5 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is down 0.2 percentage points from the December 2022 rate of 2.7 percent and is up 0.4 percentage points from the January 2022 rate of 2.1 percent. National unemployment rate rankings are available here: bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm.
2/7/2023

The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) has awarded $10 million in grants from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for recruitment and retention of education and health care workers and implementation of workforce development projects. The awarded grants are the full amount of ARPA funds appropriated to NDOL by the Legislature in 2022 through LB 1014. Over $61 million in ARPA grant applications were received by NDOL.
1/27/2023

LINCOLN - Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) services for Lincoln area workers and employers have moved to 1330 N Street, Suite A, effective January 27, 2023. This relocation follows the American Job Center of Lancaster and Saunders County’s move to the same location earlier this month. Both agencies had been located at 1111 O Street. NDOL hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
1/24/2023

LINCOLN - The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) announced today that Nebraska’s preliminary unemployment rate for December 2022 is 2.6 percent, seasonally adjusted. The rate is up 0.1 percentage points from the November 2022 rate of 2.5 percent and is up 0.3 percentage points from the December 2021 rate of 2.3 percent. National unemployment rate rankings are available here: bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm.