The Metro Area Labor Availability Survey revealed an estimated 247,692 potential job seekers in the Lincoln area who are willing to take new work or change jobs in the next year. The study was commissioned by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, with data collection by the Bureau of Sociological Research at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and survey analysis by the Nebraska Department of Labor.
Survey results showed that the majority of potential job seekers are currently employed. The median wage sought by this group is a minimum of $40,560 annually, or $19.50 an hour for full-time, year-round work.
Nearly all (97%) potential job seekers stated that they are willing to commute 15 minutes or more. More than half said they have at least a bachelor’s degree. Potential job seekers identified salary, use of skills they already possessed, and a schedule that fit their needs as the most important factors in improving their employment situation. They named inadequate pay offered by area employers, lack of job opportunities in the area, and inadequate benefits offered by area employers as the most common barriers to improving their employment situation.
The entire labor availability report for Lincoln is available online at NEworks.nebraska.gov. Click on Publications under Labor Market Information. The Omaha report will be released in January 2015.