Food Preparation Worker salary in Grand Island, NE
Food Preparation Workers in the Grand Island, NE metro area earn a median of $34,590 a year ($16.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,120 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $35,210. There are 4.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,340, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Grand Island, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,300 | $13.60 |
| 25th percentile | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Median | $34,590 | $16.63 |
| 75th percentile | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| Average (mean) | $34,340 | $16.51 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $2,882.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,441.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,330.38 |
| Weekly | $665.19 |
| Hourly | $16.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Nebraska at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,140 | 3,690 |
| Lincoln, NE | $35,210 | 1,270 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,330 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Grand Island, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,970 | $14.41 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,060 | $14.93 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,150 | $14.01 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Bartender | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,820 | $15.78 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $30,020 | $14.43 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,500 | $14.66 |
| Dishwasher | $29,690 | $14.28 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Grand Island, NE
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Grand Island, NE?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Grand Island, NE metro area is $34,590 a year, or $16.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Grand Island, NE?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Grand Island, NE metro area earn at least $40,120 a year. The top 25% earn $36,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Grand Island, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,300 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $30,160 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Grand Island, NE?
About 190 food preparation workers are employed in the Grand Island, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.