On February 5th, 2026, the Nebraska Legislature gave final approval to LB 258, introduced by Senator Jane Raybold, to lower the minimum wage for teen workers from $15 per hour to $13.50 per hour. Under the new law, 14-15 year olds are allowed to be paid a minimum of $13.50. In addition, 16-19 year olds may be paid a minimum wage of $13.50 during the first 90 days of employment as a “training wage.” For other workers, this bill will also slow the increase rate of the minimum wage by a smaller set amount each year, rather than being based on the actual cost-of-living according to the consumer price index.
By passing this bill, the Nebraska Legislature effectively revoked the decision of Nebraska voters who approved a ballot initiative in 2022 to increase Nebraska’s minimum wage over time, to eventually reach $15 per hour by January 2026 for all workers regardless of age. Nebraska was one of 20 states that increased their minimum wage starting in 2024.
Becky Gould, the Executive Director of Nebraska Appleseed, a nonprofit legal advocacy organization, and a member of Raise the Wage Nebraska, the group that sponsored the ballot initiative, said that LB 258 would have a significant negative impact on Nebraska families, especially those with teens who are financially supporting their families.
“It will mean fewer resources for families where young people contribute to the family’s income. When there are fewer resources it often means less food in the house for everyone. It can mean a hard time paying rent or utilities. With rising gas prices it may mean fewer dollars to buy gas to get to school, work, or doctors appointments. We should be rewarding the efforts of young people not sending the message that we don’t value their contributions solely based on their age,” Gould explained.
Caroline Davies is a 15 year old sophomore at Westside High School, who works a part-time job at a local cafe. She doesn’t financially support her family, but she is nonetheless responsible for many of her own expenses.
“This change would be bad for me because I already get paid under minimum wage (due to tips), so lowering the minimum wage would mean I get paid less when I do the same work as the adults,” Caroline shared. “I do not think it’s fair because usually the teens and the adults do the same amount of work so it’s a cheap way for employers to pay teens less.”
Several local business owners testified in support of the bill. They argued that youth workers have certain restrictions on the work they are able to do and the hours they are able to work. They were also concerned about increasing labor costs in general and the impact those costs have on their profit margins.
Governor Jim Pillen approved LB 258 on February 9th, 2026, and the bill will go into effect this summer.
However, according to Becky Gould, advocates for workers are not giving up their efforts to get a fair wage for all Nebraskans. They have started a new ballot initiative called Respect Nebraska Voters to protect laws passed by ballot initiative, like the minimum wage law, from legislative interference. Gould also indicated there will be efforts to pass legislation in the future to restore the original voter passed law.
Gould also emphasized that it’s important for teens to get involved in raising their voice for laws that have an impact on them.
“It’s important that everyone, but especially young people affected by this change, to let their state senator know the negative impact this change will have on them, their families, and their community,” Gould said.
