OMAHA'S ECONOMIC PULSE: CURRENT DATA ON JOBS, GROWTH, AND DEVELOPMENT
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Omaha’s economy is on the move, and we’re tracking every step. Explore our monthly reports for up-to-date data on jobs, workforce trends, industry performance, and economic development across the region.
Business leaders, entrepreneurs and site selectors use these insights to get a clear picture of the opportunities and momentum driving Greater Omaha forward.
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Omaha’s Economic Drivers:
A Diverse Mix of Industries Fuels Our Economy
$68 billion+
— Goods and services produced each year in Greater Omaha
21.1%
— Growth in finance and insurance industries, outpacing the national average of 3.4%
18.8%
— Growth in manufacturing, outpacing the national average of 4.2%
30.6%
— Growth in professional and business services, outpacing the national average of 25.1%
34.5%
— Explosive growth in the information industry in the past five years1
7% less
— Cost of doing business compared to the national average2
Driven to Succeed:
New Job Growth and a Workforce That Exceeds Expectations
Greater Omaha has added almost 26,000 jobs3 since 2020. Our population not only possesses the education and qualities employers are looking for, but also encompasses the Midwest work ethic — simply part of the fabric of our region.
Omaha’s population of more than 1 million4 is characterized by steady growth, and the total population within a 60-minute drive of Omaha is 1.4 million5.
Our low cost of living and competitive wages create a spending power of $75,033, which is 7.5% above the nation’s average of $69,8106.
With a diverse cultural makeup, ethnic minorities comprise 14.6% of our population including a Hispanic populace of 12.1%.7
Omaha attracts young and talented workers ready to ignite their career: 34.1% of our population is 24 years of age or younger and a median age: 36.68
Top Omaha Employers — Fortune 500 and Beyond
Fortune 500
#6 – Berkshire Hathaway
#177 – Union Pacific
#247 – Kiewit
#299 – Mutual of Omaha
Fortune 1000
#768 – Valmont Industries
#879 – First National of Nebraska
#906 – Werner Enterprises
| Company Name | No. of Employees | Industry |
| Offutt Airforce Base | 5,000 and over | Public Administration |
| Nebraska Medicine | 5,000 and over | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| CHI | 5,000 and over | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| Methodist Health System | 5,000 and over | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| First National Bank | 2,500 to 4,999 | Finance and Insurance |
| Mutual of Omaha | 2,500 to 4,999 | Finance and Insurance |
| Fiserv | 2,500 to 4,999 | Information |
| Union Pacific Railroad | 2,500 to 4,999 | Transportation and Warehousing |
| Valmont Industries | 1,000 to 2,499 | Manufacturing |
| Children's Hospital | 2,500 to 4,999 | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| Charles Schwab | 1,000 to 2,499 | Finance and Insurance |
| PayPal | 1,000 to 2,499 | Finance and Insurance |
| Tyson Foods, Inc. | 1,000 to 2,499 | Manufacturing |
| ConAgra | 1,000 to 2,499 | Manufacturing |
| Nebraska Furniture Mart | 1,000 to 2,499 | Retail Trade |
| Creighton University | 1,000 to 2,499 | Educational Services |
| Boys Town | 1,000 to 2,499 | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| Lincoln Premium Poultry | 1,000 to 2,499 | Manufacturing |
| Kiewit Corp. | 1,000 to 2,499 | Construction |
| Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs | 1,000 to 2,499 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation |
| Greater Omaha Packing Co. | 1,000 to 2,499 | Manufacturing |
| Omaha Steaks | 1,000 to 2,499 | Retail Trade |
| Physicians Mutual Insurance Co. | 1,000 to 2,499 | Finance and Insurance |
| Werner Enterprises Inc. | 1,000 to 2,499 | Transportation and Warehousing |
| WholeStone Farms | 1,000 to 2,499 | Manufacturing |
Sources
- U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis, Real GDP by Metro Area by Industry, 2019-2023
- Dr. Eric Thompson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023 Barometer
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS, 2020-2024
- U.S. Census, Population Division, “Annual Estimates of the Resident Population, April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024”
- JobsEQ
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, “Personal Income Summary: Personal Income, Population, Per Capita Personal Income”, 2023
- U.S. Census, ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, “Table DP05: Demographic and Housing Estimates”
- U.S. Census, ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, “Table DP05: Demographic and Housing Estimates”