Nebraska Minimum Wage and Local Wage Authority

Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-1201 to 48-1209.04 establishes Nebraska's minimum wage. Voter-approved Initiative 433 (2022) ratcheted the minimum wage to $10.50 in 2023, $12.00 in 2024, $13.50 in 2025, and $15.00 effective January 1, 2026, with annual inflation indexing thereafter. Tipped workers earn at least $2.13 per hour with combined tips meeting the standard minimum. Unlike many states, Nebraska's Wage and Hour Act contains no express preemption clause, so cities and counties may adopt higher local minimum wages provided they do not conflict with other state law. The state Department of Labor enforces the act through wage claims, and willful violators may face civil damages including unpaid wages, attorney's fees, and a possible additional amount in liquidated damages.

Employers who fail to pay the statutory minimum wage are liable under Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-1203 for the unpaid wages, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. Willful violations expose the employer to additional penalties through Department of Labor enforcement.