2026 Tax Year · Single Filer · Nebraska

$15 an Hour in Nebraska — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)

At $15/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $31,200. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Nebraska state income tax, your take-home pay is $12.69/hr. In Nebraska's low cost-of-living environment, this is below what's needed for comfortable living in Nebraska.

Gross Annual

$31,200

Net Annual
$26,401

Net Monthly

$2,200

Net Hourly

$12.69

Pay Period Breakdown

Hourly $15.00 $2.31 $12.69

Daily (8 hrs) $120.00 $18.46 $101.54

Weekly (40 hrs) $600.00 $92.28 $507.72

Biweekly $1,200.00 $184.56 $1,015.44

Monthly $2,600.00 $399.88 $2,200.12

Annual $31,200 $4,799 $26,401

Full Tax Breakdown — Nebraska, Single Filer

Gross Annual Income $15/hr × 2,080 hrs $31,200

Federal Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100

Federal Taxable Income $15,100

Federal Income Tax 5.0% −$1,564.00

Social Security (6.2%) up to $184,500 −$1,934.40

Medicare (1.45%) −$452.40

Nebraska Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$7,900

Nebraska State Income Tax 2.7% −$847.77

Total Tax 15.4% effective −$4,798.57

Net Take-Home $26,401

How Does Nebraska Compare?

See how $15/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:

California $422.38 $2,236/mo $26,827 Florida None $2,271/mo $27,249 New York $958.25 $2,191/mo $26,291 Texas None $2,271/mo $27,249 Washington None $2,271/mo $27,249

Open Full Calculator for Nebraska — $15/hr →

Equivalent Annual Salary Pages

$15/hr = $31,200/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:

Adjacent Rates in Nebraska

Same Rate, Other States

Cost of Living in Nebraska

✗ Difficult — $15/hr falls short in Nebraska

Avg 1BR rent in Omaha: $950/mo — over the 30% rule (37% of gross monthly)
Minimum comfortable income in Nebraska: $34,000/yr
Your net annual: $26,401 ($7,599 below comfortable threshold)
Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$18.5/hr

Working at $15/hr in Nebraska

Nebraska's low cost of living — Omaha 1BR averages $950/month — and recently reduced income tax rates make this wage workable. Omaha consistently ranks among the most affordable major metros in the US.

At $15/hr, you work roughly 75 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Omaha ($950/mo) -- that's above the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 1.1x Nebraska's minimum wage of $13.5/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at $15/hr in Nebraska is 15.4% -- federal income tax accounts for 5.0%, FICA 7.7%, and Nebraska state tax 2.7%.

Nebraska's economy is built on agriculture, food processing (Tyson, ConAgra), insurance (Berkshire Hathaway, Mutual of Omaha), and finance. Omaha's 'insurance capital' status creates a stable professional sector. The state has very low unemployment historically.

Nebraska has a graduated income tax with rates from 2.46% to 3.99% (recently simplified and reduced). The state mirrors the federal standard deduction.

Nebraska's minimum wage is $13.50/hr (2026), rising to $15 by 2026.

Monthly Budget on $15/hr in Nebraska

Based on $2,200/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Nebraska's cost of living.

Rent / Housing $950 $11,400 43.2%

Food (groceries + dining) $264 $3,168 12.0%

Transportation $220 $2,640 10.0%

Utilities $132 $1,584 6.0%

Healthcare $110 $1,320 5.0%

Entertainment $110 $1,320 5.0%

Savings (10% target) $220 $2,640 10.0%

Remaining / Surplus $194 $2,328 8.8%

Overtime Pay — $15/hr in Nebraska

At time-and-a-half ($22.50/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Nebraska. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~18.0%.

5 hrs/week $113 $92 $4,600

10 hrs/week $225 $185 $9,250

20 hrs/week $450 $369 $18,450

Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $15/hr

How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $12.69 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.

Tank of gas (12 gal) $50 3.4 hrs 4 hrs

Week of groceries $120 8 hrs 9.5 hrs

iPhone 16 (base) $799 53.3 hrs 63 hrs

1 month rent (Omaha) $950 63.4 hrs 74.9 hrs

Used car ($10k) $10,000 666.7 hrs 787.9 hrs

Median new car ($48k) $48,000 3200 hrs 3781.7 hrs

What Jobs Pay $15/hr in Nebraska?

At $15/hour, you earn 21% below the estimated median hourly wage in Nebraska. Jobs that commonly pay around this rate include:

barista, home health aide, security guard, warehouse associate, hotel front desk agent, call center representative

These figures reflect statewide averages for Nebraska. The Omaha metro area typically pays 8% more than rural parts of the state for the same role. Specialized certifications, union membership, or government employment at this wage tier often add meaningful benefits that raise total compensation above the base hourly figure.

At 15/hr in Nebraska, your net income of $26,401 falls $7,599 short of the estimated $34,000 comfortable living threshold. Roommates, a side income, or a wage increase would significantly improve financial stability.

Geographic Wage Variation Within Nebraska

The $15/hr figure reflects a statewide average. Wages for the same job title can differ significantly by location within Nebraska. The Omaha metro area generally commands a 8% premium over the state average, while rural areas typically pay 4% less.

Omaha metro$16.2/hr+8%Higher pay, higher COL

Nebraska average$15/hrBaselineThis page's figures

Rural Nebraska$14.4/hr-4%Lower pay, lower COL

When choosing between metro and rural Nebraska at this wage tier, compare net monthly surplus rather than gross hourly rates. Rural areas have lower rent, shorter commutes, and lower day-to-day costs -- the purchasing power difference is often smaller than the raw wage gap suggests.

Savings Goals at $15/hr in Nebraska

Saving $220/month (10% of net), here is how long it takes to reach common financial milestones from a starting balance of zero:

Weekend getaway$3,00014 monthsFlights + hotel, domestic

3-month emergency fund$5,02823 monthsCore expenses only

6-month emergency fund$10,05646 monthsFull financial cushion

Used car (no loan)$8,00037 monthsReliable used vehicle

New car down payment$25,000114 months~50% down to minimize payments

Home down payment$5,10024 months10% on a starter home in Nebraska

Your monthly budget surplus of $194 means you can accelerate these timelines by directing extra cash beyond the 10% baseline. Automating transfers on payday is the most reliable way to stay consistent.

Debt Payoff on $15/hr in Nebraska

Allocating 15% of net monthly income ($330/month) toward debt repayment is sustainable while still allowing for savings and essentials.

Credit card$5,000$33016 months

Student loan$30,000$33091 months

These timelines exclude interest, which meaningfully extends payoff for high-APR credit cards. Prioritize high-interest debt first. Even an extra $50/month toward a credit card balance can cut months off your payoff timeline and save hundreds in interest.

401(k) and Retirement at $15/hr

Contributing 6% ($1,872/year) to a pre-tax 401(k) saves you $310 in taxes at your 16.5% marginal rate -- your actual out-of-pocket cost is only $1,562/year. If your employer matches up to 6%, that match is $1,872 in additional annual compensation -- never leave it uncaptured.

Saving $2,640/year and investing at a 7% average annual return builds significant wealth over time:

5 years$13,200$13,992$792 interest

10 years$26,400$28,063$1,663 interest

20 years$52,800$56,602$3,802 interest

What Would a Raise Mean at $15/hr in Nebraska?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,706 to your annual net take-home in Nebraska after taxes. Your marginal rate on additional income is approximately 18.0%, so you keep 82.0% of every extra dollar earned.

$1/hr raise$16/hr$1,706$142

5% raise$15.8/hr$1,364$114

10% raise$16.5/hr$2,558$213

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 15 an hour a good wage in Nebraska?

15/hr in Nebraska gives you $26,401/year after taxes -- below what's needed for comfortable living in Nebraska. Avg 1BR rent in Omaha: $950/month (exceeds the 30% rule). It places you 21% below the estimated state median wage.

What is 15 an hour after taxes in Nebraska?

15/hr in Nebraska = $26,401/year or $2,200/month net. Effective tax rate: 15.4%, made up of 5.0% federal, 7.7% FICA, and 2.7% Nebraska state tax.

What jobs pay 15 an hour in Nebraska?

Common roles at 15/hr in Nebraska include cashier, food service worker, retail associate. Metro areas like Omaha typically pay 8% more for the same role.

How does 15/hr go further -- Nebraska or Texas?

15/hr in Nebraska has similar purchasing power to ~18.5/hr in Texas. Nebraska state income tax reduces take-home vs Texas.

How long to build an emergency fund at 15/hr in Nebraska?

Saving $220/month (10% of net), you reach a 3-month emergency fund of $5,028 in 23 months. A 6-month fund takes 46 months.

What does a 401(k) cost at 15/hr in Nebraska?

A 6% contribution ($1,872/year) saves $310 in taxes at your 16.5% marginal rate. Your net out-of-pocket cost is only $1,562/year -- and if your employer matches, it is essentially free money.

What does a $1/hr raise mean at 15/hr in Nebraska?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,706/year to your net take-home in Nebraska after the 18.0% marginal tax rate. You keep 82.0% of every additional dollar earned.

What is the effective tax rate at 15/hr in Nebraska?

At 15/hr in Nebraska, your total effective tax rate is 15.4%: federal income tax 5.0%, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.5%, and Nebraska state tax 2.7%. You keep 84.6% of every gross dollar.

Can you afford rent in Omaha on 15/hr?

The average 1BR in Omaha is $950/month. At 15/hr, rent consumes 37% of your gross monthly pay -- above the 30% affordability guideline. Your net hourly rate of $12.69 means you work 75 hours per month to cover rent.

What does 15/hr look like as an annual salary?

15/hr times 2,080 hours equals $31,200/year gross. After all taxes in Nebraska, your net annual income is $26,401 -- an effective take-home rate of 84.6%.