Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in Lincoln, NE
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $29,480 a year ($14.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 850 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,940 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,360. Pay here is 7% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $31,540. There are 4.7 food servers, nonrestaurant per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food servers, nonrestaurant in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,720 | $13.81 |
| 25th percentile | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Median | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| 75th percentile | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,940 | $18.72 |
| Average (mean) | $32,050 | $15.41 |
Half of food servers, nonrestaurant 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 | $2,456.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,228.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,133.85 |
| Weekly | $566.92 |
| Hourly | $14.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,480 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 Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | $32,820 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $32,150 | 1,690 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,290 | 230 |
Highest-paying states for food servers, nonrestaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $39,370 |
| California | $39,010 |
| Colorado | $38,900 |
| Washington | $38,870 |
| Alaska | $38,090 |
| District of Columbia | $37,920 |
| Hawaii | $37,920 |
| Maine | $37,680 |
| Vermont | $37,540 |
| North Dakota | $36,910 |
See Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Bartender | $30,660 | $14.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| 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 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,150 | $13.54 |
| Dishwasher | $30,060 | $14.45 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| 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 35-3041. 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 servers, nonrestaurant make in Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for food servers, nonrestaurant in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $29,480 a year, or $14.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food servers, nonrestaurant make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of food servers, nonrestaurant in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $38,940 a year. The top 25% earn $35,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for food servers, nonrestaurant in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,720 a year, and a quarter of food servers, nonrestaurant earn $28,930 or less.
How many food servers, nonrestaurant work in Lincoln, NE?
About 850 food servers, nonrestaurant are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.