Employer of Record · Nebraska

Employer of Record in Nebraska.
Minimum Wage Rising. Income Tax Falling.

Nebraska is unusual among US states in that two major compensation-relevant rates are moving in opposite directions simultaneously — and both change on January 1 every year through 2026. Minimum wage rises from $12.00 to $15.00 by 2026 following a 2022 ballot measure. State income tax rates fall from 6.84% to 3.99% over the same period following LB 754. Omaha is a significant financial services and technology market, and Lincoln's growing innovation ecosystem is attracting employers from across the Midwest. WorkGenius becomes your legal employer and manages every Nebraska obligation from day one.

$12.00/hr
Minimum wage (2024, rising to $15 by 2026)
5.84% → 3.99%
Top income tax rate (2024 → 2026)
15+ employees
NFEPA anti-discrimination threshold

Nebraska by the Numbers

Minimum wage
$12.00/hr
Effective 2024; rising to $13.50 in 2025 and $15.00 in 2026 per 2022 ballot initiative
State income tax
Up to 5.84% (2024)
Top rate reduces annually: 5.20% in 2025, 3.99% in 2026 per LB 754 (2023)
Workers' compensation
Required (1+ employee)
Nebraska requires workers' comp for all employers with at least one employee
Final paycheck
Next regular payday
Due on the next scheduled payday following separation
NFEPA threshold
15+ employees
Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act covers employers with 15 or more employees
Paid leave mandate
None (state)
Nebraska has no state-mandated paid sick leave or family leave program
The Defining Law

Nebraska's Dual Trajectory: Rising Minimum Wage and Falling Income Tax Through 2026

Nebraska is running two major legislative wage trajectories simultaneously through 2026, and both require payroll updates on January 1 each year. In November 2022, Nebraska voters approved Initiative 433, a phased minimum wage increase: $10.50 in 2023, $12.00 in 2024, $13.50 in 2025, and $15.00 in 2026. Separately, in May 2023, the Nebraska Legislature enacted LB 754, which phases down the top individual income tax rate from 6.84% to 3.99% over the same period: 5.84% in 2024, 5.20% in 2025, and 3.99% in 2026. For employers, this means both the minimum wage floor and the withholding brackets require annual recalibration. Missing the minimum wage update creates wage violation exposure. Missing the withholding update means employees are over-withheld. WorkGenius applies both rate schedules automatically on each January 1 effective date.

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The ABC Test
  • Minimum wage: $12.00/hr in 2024, $13.50 in 2025, $15.00 in 2026 — updated automatically each January 1
  • Top income tax rate: 5.84% in 2024, 5.20% in 2025, 3.99% in 2026 — withholding brackets updated automatically
  • Both schedules were enacted through different mechanisms: voter initiative (minimum wage) and legislative act (income tax)
  • Failure to update the minimum wage results in wage theft exposure; failure to update withholding results in employee over-withholding
  • After reaching $15.00 in 2026, the minimum wage will be indexed to the Consumer Price Index annually
  • WorkGenius applies both rate schedules automatically, eliminating the risk of lagging on either track
Nebraska Coverage

What WorkGenius Handles for Nebraska

Nebraska's dual annual rate changes — minimum wage rising, income tax falling — require payroll recalibration every January 1 through 2026.

Minimum Wage — Annual Updates Through 2026

WorkGenius applies Nebraska's phased minimum wage schedule automatically: $12.00 in 2024, $13.50 in 2025, $15.00 in 2026. No manual tracking required — the base pay floor updates on January 1 each year.

Declining Income Tax — Withholding Updates

Nebraska's LB 754 reduces the top income tax rate annually. WorkGenius updates Nebraska withholding brackets on each effective date: 5.84% in 2024, 5.20% in 2025, 3.99% in 2026.

Workers' Compensation Coverage

Nebraska requires workers' comp for all employers with at least one employee. WorkGenius maintains compliant coverage from the first Nebraska hire and handles all claims administration.

Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act Compliance

The NFEPA covers employers with 15 or more employees and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, pregnancy, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, and age (40+). WorkGenius ensures employment agreements and onboarding materials meet NFEPA requirements.

Wage Payment Compliance

Nebraska requires wages to be paid at least semi-monthly. WorkGenius manages pay frequency, delivers final pay on the next regular payday, and maintains required wage statements.

Benefits Administration & Termination

ACA-compliant health coverage, 401(k), and disability insurance enrolled and administered. Offboarding includes final pay on the next regular payday and COBRA administration.

Nebraska Compliance Dashboard
3 workers · All compliant
Live
Nebraska Minimum Wage & Income Tax Rate Check
Passed
Minimum wage rate updated — rising annually through 2026
Income tax withholding updated — falling annually through 2026
Workers' comp enrollment confirmed (1+ employee)
This Week's Payroll
$12.00
Base/hr
$18.00
OT rate (1.5×)
Auto
Calculated
Weekly invoice sent
Every Friday · All-in rate
Sent
Technology-Powered

How WorkGenius Handles Nebraska EOR

Nebraska is running two major legislative trajectories simultaneously: minimum wage rising from $9.00 to $15.00/hr by 2026, and state income tax rates falling from 6.84% to 3.99% over the same period. Both change on January 1 every year. WorkGenius auto-updates both rates on every cycle so Nebraska payroll is always accurate.

  • Rising Minimum Wage — Auto-Updated Annually
    Nebraska voters approved a phased minimum wage increase in 2022: $10.50 in 2023, $12.00 in 2024, $13.50 in 2025, and $15.00 in 2026. WorkGenius updates the wage floor on January 1 each year automatically.
  • Nebraska Payroll, Automatically
    Minimum wage at $12.00/hr (2024), declining income tax (5.84% top rate in 2024, falling to 3.99% by 2026), SUTA at 1.25% on the first $9,000 of wages — all calculated and remitted on every pay cycle.
  • Declining Income Tax — Auto-Updated
    Nebraska's LB 754 (2023) schedules across-the-board income tax reductions: 5.84% top rate in 2024, 5.20% in 2025, 3.99% in 2026. WorkGenius auto-updates withholding brackets on each effective date.
  • One Weekly Invoice
    A single, transparent weekly invoice covering payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance. No surprises, no hidden fees.

Other Key Nebraska Compliance Areas

Nebraska's two-track wage story — minimum wage up, income tax down — makes annual payroll recalibration mandatory through 2026.

Phased Minimum Wage (Initiative 433)

$15.00 by 2026, then CPI-indexed

Voters approved a phased minimum wage increase in 2022: $12.00/hr in 2024, $13.50 in 2025, $15.00 in 2026. After reaching $15.00, the minimum wage will be indexed to the Consumer Price Index. Employers who fail to update on each January 1 face wage violation exposure.

Declining Income Tax (LB 754)

3.99% top rate by 2026

LB 754 (2023) phases Nebraska's top individual income tax rate down from 6.84% to 3.99% by 2026. Brackets also consolidate. Each reduction takes effect January 1. Employers who do not update withholding tables will over-withhold from employees.

Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act

15-employee threshold

Covers employers with 15 or more employees. Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, pregnancy, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, and age (40+). The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission handles complaints.

Non-Compete Agreements

Enforceable, blue pencil

Nebraska courts enforce non-compete agreements under a reasonableness standard, evaluating duration, geographic scope, and the nature of the restricted activity. Nebraska has not enacted a statutory ban or income-based threshold. Courts apply the blue pencil doctrine to reform overly broad provisions.

Simple Process

How It Works in Nebraska

From first conversation to fully compliant employment — typically within days.

1

Tell Us What You Need

Workers, roles, locations, and start dates. We tailor the setup to your needs.

2

We Assess & Classify

Our AI runs every worker through California's ABC test. We prepare compliant contracts and payroll setup.

3

Workers Are Employed

Onboarded with California-compliant contracts, benefits enrolled, payroll running from day one.

4

We Handle Ongoing

Payroll runs with daily OT. Taxes filed. Compliance monitored. One weekly invoice.

Nebraska EOR: Common Questions

What is Nebraska's minimum wage schedule through 2026?

Nebraska voters approved Initiative 433 in November 2022, setting a phased minimum wage schedule: $10.50/hr in 2023, $12.00/hr in 2024, $13.50/hr in 2025, and $15.00/hr in 2026. After reaching $15.00, the minimum wage will be indexed to the Consumer Price Index annually. Employers must update their minimum pay floor on January 1 each year — failure to do so creates wage violation exposure. WorkGenius applies each year's rate automatically on the effective date.

How is Nebraska's income tax changing?

Nebraska's LB 754, enacted in May 2023, phases down individual income tax rates over several years. The top rate dropped from 6.84% to 5.84% effective January 1, 2024, falls to 5.20% on January 1, 2025, and reaches 3.99% on January 1, 2026. Each reduction requires payroll withholding tables to be updated — WorkGenius applies each change automatically so employees are not over-withheld.

When does Nebraska require workers' compensation?

Nebraska requires workers' compensation for all employers with at least one employee. There is no minimum headcount threshold — coverage is required from the first hire. WorkGenius maintains compliant coverage from day one and handles all claims administration.

What does Nebraska's Fair Employment Practice Act cover?

Nebraska's Fair Employment Practice Act (NFEPA) covers employers with 15 or more employees and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, pregnancy, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, and age (40+). The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission handles administrative complaints, and employees may pursue civil litigation after exhausting administrative remedies.

Does Nebraska have paid sick leave or paid family leave requirements?

No. Nebraska has no state-mandated paid sick leave or paid family leave program. Federal FMLA provides unpaid job-protected leave for qualifying employees at employers with 50 or more employees. WorkGenius administers any voluntary PTO policy and federal FMLA as part of the employment package.

Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska courts enforce non-compete agreements under a reasonableness standard, examining duration, geographic scope, and the scope of restricted activity. Courts apply the blue pencil doctrine — they will modify overly broad provisions rather than voiding the entire agreement. Nebraska has not enacted a statutory ban or income-based cap. WorkGenius drafts non-compete provisions calibrated to Nebraska's reasonableness standard.

Employer of Record

Ready to Employ in Nebraska Compliantly?

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