How much does a food server make in Lincoln?
$29,480a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in the Lincoln, NE metro area. That is $14.17 an hour or $2,457 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.17
- Vs. national median
- -17%
- Rank among cities
- 276 of 353
- Jobs in the area
- 850
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,720Median: $29,480Highest 10%: $38,940
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,720 | $13.81 | |
| 25th | $28,930 | $13.91 | |
| Median | $29,480 | $14.17 | |
| 75th | $35,070 | $16.86 | |
| 90th | $38,940 | $18.72 |
Other cities in Nebraska
Median yearly pay for food servers.
| Grand Island, NE | $32,820 |
| Omaha, NE | $32,150 |
| Sioux City, IA | $31,290 |
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 |
| Cook | $30,340 |
| Dishwasher | $30,060 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in Lincoln?
The median hourly pay in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $14.17 ($29,480 a year).
Do food servers make more in Lincoln than the national average?
No: $29,480 against $35,360 nationally, 17% less.
How does Lincoln compare with the rest of Nebraska?
The median in Nebraska is $31,540, so Lincoln pays 7% less.
Where does Lincoln rank for food server pay?
276 of 353 metro areas with data.
How much does a food server make starting out in Lincoln?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,720 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,940 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.