How much does a cook make in Lincoln?
$37,290a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lincoln, NE metro area. That is $17.93 an hour or $3,108 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.93
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 112 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 890
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,580Median: $37,290Highest 10%: $44,210
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,580 | $14.22 | |
| 25th | $34,990 | $16.82 | |
| Median | $37,290 | $17.93 | |
| 75th | $42,380 | $20.38 | |
| 90th | $44,210 | $21.25 |
Other cities in Nebraska
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Omaha, NE | $37,840 |
| Grand Island, NE | $36,500 |
| Sioux City, IA | $36,270 |
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 | $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 cook make an hour in Lincoln?
The median hourly pay in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $17.93 ($37,290 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lincoln than the national average?
Yes: $37,290 against $37,390 nationally, 0% more.
How does Lincoln compare with the rest of Nebraska?
The median in Nebraska is $37,030, so Lincoln pays 1% more.
Where does Lincoln rank for cook pay?
112 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lincoln?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,580 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,210 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.