Nebraska: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #1 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 1,961,504.
Nebraska ranks #1 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (33.1). Administrative and Support Services carries the lowest risk at 21.4 (Low), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 49.4 (Elevated). The 28.1-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 138,733 jobs.
Nebraska: 33.1 Average Entry Risk
Nebraska at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Nebraska
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Nebraska.
Entry Risk by Industry in Nebraska
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Nebraska. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Nebraska Industry Data: 57,326 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 21.4 | #1/51 | 5,030 | 50,514 | $57,249 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 23.7 | #2/51 | 9,316 | 138,733 | $62,144 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 26.3 | #3/51 | 2,776 | 11,139 | $57,165 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 30.5 | #2/51 | 4,792 | 27,546 | $44,241 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 31.6 | #3/51 | 9,597 | 49,907 | $90,703 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 32.5 | #5/51 | 7,596 | 62,181 | $70,252 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 35.9 | #2/51 | 6,815 | 104,192 | $36,515 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 37.8 | #13/51 | 1,610 | 17,582 | $90,703 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 41.5 | #31/51 | 4,838 | 82,946 | $22,584 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 49.4 | #20/51 | 4,956 | 52,597 | $97,009 |
Largest Industries in Nebraska by Employment
Metro Markets in Nebraska
3 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Nebraska Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Nebraska: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Nebraska's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Nebraska averages 33.1 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #1 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Nebraska?
Administrative and Support Services carries the lowest entry risk in Nebraska at 21.4 (Low). It employs 50,514 workers across 5,030 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Nebraska?
Finance and Insurance posts Nebraska's highest entry risk at 49.4 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Nebraska?
57,326 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Nebraska, employing 597,337 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Nebraska's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Nebraska with 138,733 jobs across 9,316 establishments and an entry risk score of 23.7.