Job Market 1 months ago
Nebraska Job Market: Top Industries, Salaries & Employers (2026)
Guide to the Nebraska job market in 2026. Agriculture, finance, healthcare, and tech across Omaha and Lincoln.
Quick Answer: Nebraska has a $155 billion GDP with 1 million workers across agriculture, insurance/finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Average salary is $52,340. Omaha punches above its weight as home to Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha, and a growing tech scene. Cost of living is 10-15% below the national average with consistently low unemployment (under 3%).
Nebraska boasts one of the strongest labor markets in the country with unemployment consistently among the lowest nationally. Omaha's financial sector (anchored by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway) and Lincoln's government/education economy provide stability, while agriculture remains the backbone.
Top Industries
- Agriculture & Food Processing: Nebraska is #1 in red meat processing and #3 in corn. Cargill, Tyson, Conagra Brands (HQ, Chicago but major Omaha operations), and dozens of ethanol plants. Agriculture contributes $25B+ annually. 100,000+ ag-related workers.
- Insurance & Finance: Mutual of Omaha (HQ), Berkshire Hathaway (HQ), Union Pacific Railroad (HQ), and TD Ameritrade (now Schwab). Omaha is a top-10 insurance center. 55,000+ finance/insurance workers.
- Healthcare: Nebraska Medicine, CHI Health, Bryan Health (Lincoln), and Boys Town. 130,000+ healthcare workers. UNMC is a top infectious disease research center.
- Technology: Omaha's tech scene includes Flywheel, Hudl (HQ — sports tech), and a growing startup ecosystem. LinkedIn ranked Omaha among the top emerging tech cities. Average tech salary: $85,000.
- Transportation: Union Pacific Railroad (HQ, Omaha — 30,000+ employees nationally). Werner Enterprises (HQ, Omaha). Nebraska's central location drives logistics.
Major Employers
| Employer | Industry | Approx. NE Employees |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska | Education | 16,000+ |
| State of Nebraska | Government | 18,000+ |
| Nebraska Medicine/UNMC | Healthcare | 10,000+ |
| Mutual of Omaha | Insurance | 6,000+ |
| Union Pacific | Transportation | 5,000+ (HQ) |
| CHI Health | Healthcare | 12,000+ |
| Walmart | Retail | 12,000+ |
Average Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Avg Salary | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $55,870 | 92 |
| Lincoln | $51,640 | 90 |
| Grand Island | $44,280 | 80 |
Growing Sectors
- Fintech: Omaha's insurance/finance heritage creates a natural fintech ecosystem. Growing startup scene around payments, insurtech, and financial data.
- AgTech: Precision agriculture combining Nebraska's ag dominance with technology. UNL research and startups lead in this space.
- Data Centers: Facebook, Google, and other tech companies are building data centers in Nebraska, attracted by cheap electricity and central location.
Remote Work Availability
Omaha's affordable housing (median home $230,000) and low cost of living make it attractive for remote workers. Growing broadband infrastructure statewide. Hudl and other tech companies offer flexible work arrangements.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Nebraska?
$12.00/hour with scheduled increases to $15 by 2026. Omaha employers typically pay $13-17+ entry level.