Cooks, Fast Food salary in Lincoln, NE
Cooks, Fast Food in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $29,430 a year ($14.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 760 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,670 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 3% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $30,430. There are 4.2 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| 25th percentile | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| Median | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| 75th percentile | $32,820 | $15.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Average (mean) | $31,130 | $14.97 |
Half of cooks, fast food earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,452.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,226.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,131.92 |
| Weekly | $565.96 |
| Hourly | $14.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Nebraska at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $31,220 | 1,480 |
| Grand Island, NE | $29,970 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $28,390 | 480 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Bartender | $30,660 | $14.74 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,150 | $13.54 |
| Dishwasher | $30,060 | $14.45 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,450 | $14.64 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,680 | $28.69 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, fast food make in Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $29,430 a year, or $14.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $36,670 a year. The top 25% earn $32,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,080 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $28,260 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Lincoln, NE?
About 760 cooks, fast food are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.