How much does a chef and head cook make in Lincoln?
$59,680a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Lincoln, NE metro area. That is $28.69 an hour or $4,973 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.69
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 156 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,660Median: $59,680Highest 10%: $114,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,660 | $15.22 | |
| 25th | $45,760 | $22.00 | |
| Median | $59,680 | $28.69 | |
| 75th | $82,870 | $39.84 | |
| 90th | $114,900 | $55.26 |
Other cities in Nebraska
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Omaha, NE | $62,240 |
| Sioux City, IA | $49,590 |
Related jobs in Lincoln
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,230 |
| Cook | $37,290 |
| Cook | $36,830 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,080 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,210 |
| Bartender | $30,660 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $30,450 |
| Cook | $30,340 |
| Dishwasher | $30,060 |
| Food Server | $29,480 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Lincoln?
The median hourly pay in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $28.69 ($59,680 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Lincoln than the national average?
No: $59,680 against $62,470 nationally, 4% less.
How does Lincoln compare with the rest of Nebraska?
The median in Nebraska is $60,510, so Lincoln pays 1% less.
Where does Lincoln rank for chef and head cook pay?
156 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Lincoln?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,660 or less a year; the top 10% make $114,900 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.