How much does a cook make in Lincoln?
$36,830a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lincoln, NE metro area. That is $17.71 an hour or $3,069 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.71
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 191 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 640
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,510Median: $36,830Highest 10%: $45,740
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,510 | $15.15 | |
| 25th | $35,400 | $17.02 | |
| Median | $36,830 | $17.71 | |
| 75th | $43,250 | $20.79 | |
| 90th | $45,740 | $21.99 |
Other cities in Nebraska
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Omaha, NE | $36,750 |
| Sioux City, IA | $36,030 |
| Grand Island, NE | $35,630 |
Related jobs in Lincoln
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,680 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,230 |
| Cook | $37,290 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Lincoln?
The median hourly pay in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $17.71 ($36,830 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lincoln than the national average?
No: $36,830 against $37,450 nationally, 2% less.
How does Lincoln compare with the rest of Nebraska?
The median in Nebraska is $36,390, so Lincoln pays 1% more.
Where does Lincoln rank for cook pay?
191 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lincoln?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,510 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,740 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.