Nebraska Overview

The Nebraska job market and economy successfully survived the recession due to the state’s strong farm sector and the absence of a real estate bust. The state has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. Though the Cornhusker State still faces some challenges stimulating job expansion, its diverse economy -- ranging from transportation and manufacturing to government -- should create good employment prospects for its 1 million workers.

Nebraska Job Opportunities

Agriculture and technology are central to Nebraska’s economy. Other critical hiring sectors include government, finance, transportation, advanced manufacturing, bioscience and energy. Top companies located in Nebraska include Berkshire Hathaway, ConAgra Foods and Mutual of Omaha.

Most Nebraska jobs are found in the trade, transportation and utilities sector followed by the government, education/health services and professional/business services sectors. Most industries have reported varying mild shifts in employment. The largest job gains into 2012 have been reported by the professional/business services, education/health services and manufacturing sectors.

Nebraska Employment Trends

Nebraska’s job trends are positive. The unemployment rate peaked at just 4.9 percent for a few months in 2009 and 2010 and had fallen to 3.9 percent by June 2012. Both payroll and online recruiting growth across the state have been mild, though with signs of momentum in the first half of 2012.

Employment in Nebraska is projected to increase 1.6 percent between Q2 2012 and Q2 2013, higher than the 1.3 percent growth expected in the nation’s job supply during that time, Moody’s Analytics reports.