The largest employers in Nebraska represent the most significant industries that make up the state’s economy. Military, higher education, and agriculture are represented.
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Here are the state’s
top six employers, listed according to Nebraska Department of Economic Development:
Tyson Foods, Inc.: About 11,000
The Arkansas-based chicken giant
has a significant base of operations and division headquarters in locations throughout Nebraska. The Tyson Fresh Meats division sources much of its beef and pork from growers and processing plants in Nebraska, making it the largest direct employer in Nebraska and the primary customer for many farms in the state.
Walmart: About 9,700
Founded in Arkansas in 1962, Walmart is often in the top list of employers in each state. “Each week, more than 245 million customers and members visit our nearly 11,000 stores under 71 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries,” the company website said. “With fiscal year 2014 sales of approximately $473 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide.”
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Offutt Air Force Base: About 9,580
Offutt Air Force Base is home to the U.S. Strategic Command. USSTRATCOM controls the United States' nuclear forces and global missile defense capabilities. The Air Force Weather Agency is also based there. In addition to the uniformed services and civilian contractors on base, private defense contractor companies, retail, and visitor services add to the total economic contribution of the base to the region.
University of Nebraska: About 9,000
About 1,600 academic staff, along with many more administrative and support employees make up the employment base of University of Nebraska in Lincoln. The athletic department adds
an additional 2,840 jobs to the area, according to a study by the university's department of economics.
Union Pacific: About 7,800
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The railroad operates 1,067 miles of track within the state of Nebraska, contributing almost a billion dollars per year in annual payroll to the state economy. The railroad has been a major employer in the state ever
since the transcontinental railroad first laid track in Nebraska, the company website said. In 2004, the company built a 1.2 million-square-foot headquarters in Omaha. The company's Bailey Yard in North Platte is the world's largest freight yard, according to the company's fact sheet about its operations in Nebraska.
First Data Corp: About 5,000
Credit card service company First Data moved its headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2009. The company was founded in Nebraska in the 1960s and maintains a large presence in Omaha. First Data controls the STAR ATM system, TeleCheck e-check acceptance, and Gyft digital gift cards. The Omaha and Denver, Colorado, offices
have gone through some job reductions in recent years, according to omaha.com.