How much does a cook make in Lincoln?
$30,340a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lincoln, NE metro area. That is $14.59 an hour or $2,528 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.59
- Vs. national median
- -15%
- Rank among cities
- 146 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 360
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,080Median: $30,340Highest 10%: $37,930
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,080 | $13.50 | |
| 25th | $28,380 | $13.64 | |
| Median | $30,340 | $14.59 | |
| 75th | $34,560 | $16.62 | |
| 90th | $37,930 | $18.24 |
Other cities in Nebraska
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Sioux City, IA | $33,880 |
| Omaha, NE | $32,710 |
| Grand Island, NE | $31,060 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 $14.59 ($30,340 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lincoln than the national average?
No: $30,340 against $35,880 nationally, 15% less.
How does Lincoln compare with the rest of Nebraska?
The median in Nebraska is $30,530, so Lincoln pays 1% less.
Where does Lincoln rank for cook pay?
146 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lincoln?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $37,930 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.