Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Nebraska's total nonfarm employment is about 1.06 million jobs, with unemployment among the lowest in the nation.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED NENA).
- •Nebraska frequently posts one of the lowest unemployment rates of any U.S. state.
Unemployment
Nebraska's unemployment rate is about 2.9%, among the lowest in the country.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED NEUR).
| Indicator | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 2.9 | 4 |
- •Nebraska has ranked among the states with the lowest unemployment rates for much of the past decade.
Labor Force
Nebraska's civilian labor force totals about 1.06 million workers, with a labor force participation rate near 68%.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED NELF).
| Indicator | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Force Participation Rate (%) | 68 | 62.5 |
- •Nebraska consistently ranks among the top states for labor force participation.
Occupations
Office and administrative support, sales, and food preparation are among Nebraska's most common occupation categories, alongside strong agricultural employment.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
- •Omaha's large insurance and financial services sector supports thousands of office and customer service jobs statewide.
Salaries
The median annual wage in Nebraska is about $46,500, below the national median wage.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU31000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU31000000500000003).
| Indicator | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Wage | 46500 | 48060 |
- •Wages in Omaha's insurance and finance sector tend to run well above the statewide median.
Remote Work
About 13.5% of Nebraska workers work primarily from home, roughly the national average.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Work from home (%) | 13.5 | 13.8 |
Workforce Participation
Nebraska's labor force participation rate is about 68%, among the highest in the nation.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA31).
| Indicator | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Force Participation Rate (%) | 68 | 62.5 |
- •Nebraska's high workforce participation is often linked to its strong agricultural and manufacturing employment base.