***For Immediate Release***
January 1, 2026
Contact: Sierra Salgado Pirigyi
Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed
Office: 402-438-8853 x116
sierrasp@neappleseed.org
RELEASE: Nebraska workers receive another wage increase because of Initiative 433
The increase to $15.00/hour is the fourth in a series of raises
LINCOLN, NE – Today, Nebraska’s minimum wage increased for workers across the state to $15.00/hour. Starting on January 1, 2027, Nebraska’s minimum wage will be adjusted every year to account for cost of living increases.
This increase is the direct result of substantial support from 58% of Nebraskans across the state who voted in favor of Initiative 433, a ballot measure to gradually raise the minimum wage to keep up with the rising cost of living. This initiative was critical to ensure that working Nebraskans and their families are moving towards a livable wage so that they can thrive in their communities. A higher minimum wage tied to cost of living adjustments will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of working Nebraskans, their families, and their communities. It will also be a step towards narrowing Nebraska’s racial and gender pay gaps.
The broad coalition of organizations, leaders, and community advocates who worked tirelessly in support of Initiative 433 also remain strongly opposed to any attempts to undermine this legislation, including placing caps on cost of living adjustments or creating harmful subminimum wage policies.
Nebraska Appleseed Economic Justice Program Director Ken Smith issued the following statement:
“For everyone to have access to the good life, we must establish a living wage for all Nebraska workers. Initiative 433’s consistent, predictable increases toward $15 since 2023, along with the annual cost of living increases that will begin in 2027, ensures that hardworking Nebraskans don’t fall behind as the price of food, housing, and other necessities continues to rise.
With the 2026 legislative session starting in January, Nebraska Appleseed, the Raise the Wage Nebraska coalition, and our supporters will be monitoring the Nebraska Legislature to ensure that the wage increases voters overwhelmingly supported with Initiative 433 are not undermined by harmful caps on cost of living adjustments and unfair carve-outs that exclude youth workers.
Every Nebraskan should be paid a fair wage that keeps up with the cost of living – and we know that a strong minimum wage that keeps up with rising costs benefits Nebraska’s workers, communities, and economy.”
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