Cooks, Short Order salary in Lincoln, NE
Cooks, Short Order in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $30,340 a year ($14.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,930 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay here is 1% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $30,530. There are 2.0 cooks, short order per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| 25th percentile | $28,380 | $13.64 |
| Median | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| 75th percentile | $34,560 | $16.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,930 | $18.24 |
| Average (mean) | $32,410 | $15.58 |
Half of cooks, short order 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 | $2,528.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,264.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,166.92 |
| Weekly | $583.46 |
| Hourly | $14.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,340 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, Short Order salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $33,880 | 80 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $32,710 | 850 |
| Grand Island, NE | $31,060 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, short order
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,630 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 |
| California | $42,930 |
| Washington | $42,760 |
| Colorado | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 |
See Cooks, Short Order 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, Fast Food | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| 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 35-2015. 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, short order make in Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for cooks, short order in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $30,340 a year, or $14.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $37,930 a year. The top 25% earn $34,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,080 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $28,380 or less.
How many cooks, short order work in Lincoln, NE?
About 360 cooks, short order are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.