How much does a waiter and waitress make in Lincoln?
$36,080a year
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss in the Lincoln, NE metro area. That is $17.35 an hour or $3,007 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.35
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 126 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 2,520
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,080Median: $36,080Highest 10%: $60,980
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,080 | $13.50 | |
| 25th | $29,390 | $14.13 | |
| Median | $36,080 | $17.35 | |
| 75th | $47,730 | $22.95 | |
| 90th | $60,980 | $29.32 |
Other cities in Nebraska
Median yearly pay for waiter and waitresss.
| Omaha, NE | $34,290 |
| Grand Island, NE | $29,840 |
| Sioux City, IA | $26,430 |
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 |
| 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 waiter and waitress make an hour in Lincoln?
The median hourly pay in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $17.35 ($36,080 a year).
Do waiter and waitresss make more in Lincoln than the national average?
Yes: $36,080 against $35,230 nationally, 2% more.
How does Lincoln compare with the rest of Nebraska?
The median in Nebraska is $33,770, so Lincoln pays 7% more.
Where does Lincoln rank for waiter and waitress pay?
126 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does a waiter and waitress make starting out in Lincoln?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $60,980 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.