Cooks, Fast Food salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Cooks, Fast Food in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $31,220 a year ($15.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,100 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 3% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $30,430. There are 3.0 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $32,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| 25th percentile | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| Median | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| 75th percentile | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Average (mean) | $32,490 | $15.62 |
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 | $2,601.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,300.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,200.77 |
| Weekly | $600.38 |
| Hourly | $15.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,220 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $30,460 | 790 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $30,360 | 1,980 |
| Grand Island, NE | $29,970 | 90 |
| Dubuque, IA | $29,500 | 290 |
| Lincoln, NE | $29,430 | 760 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,200 | 440 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,040 | 490 |
| 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 Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 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 35-2011. 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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $31,220 a year, or $15.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $38,100 a year. The top 25% earn $35,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,080 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $29,530 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 1,480 cooks, fast food are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.