Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $36,750 a year ($17.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,490 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 1% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $36,390. There are 3.8 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,980 | $14.41 |
| 25th percentile | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| Median | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 75th percentile | $39,880 | $19.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Average (mean) | $37,560 | $18.06 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $3,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,531.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,413.46 |
| Weekly | $706.73 |
| Hourly | $17.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,750 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, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $36,890 | 290 |
| Lincoln, NE | $36,830 | 640 |
| Iowa City, IA | $36,670 | 510 |
| Ames, IA | $36,540 | 380 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,410 | 770 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $36,320 | 1,670 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $36,030 | 360 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $35,740 | 840 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $35,680 | 500 |
| Grand Island, NE | $35,630 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,710 | $15.73 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,450 | $14.16 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $34,290 | $16.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,740 | $19.59 |
| Bartender | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $31,170 | $14.99 |
| Dishwasher | $33,810 | $16.25 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,240 | $29.92 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $48,070 | $23.11 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. 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, institution and cafeteria make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $36,750 a year, or $17.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $45,490 a year. The top 25% earn $39,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,980 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $34,480 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 1,890 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.