Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Nebraska
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Nebraska earn a median of $36,390 a year ($17.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,380 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $37,450. Nebraska ranks 33rd of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 4.3 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,890 | $14.37 |
| 25th percentile | $34,040 | $16.36 |
| Median | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| 75th percentile | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| Average (mean) | $37,310 | $17.94 |
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 | $3,032.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,516.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,399.62 |
| Weekly | $699.81 |
| Hourly | $17.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $36,830 | 640 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,750 | 1,890 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $36,030 | 360 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,030 | $17.81 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,530 | $14.68 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $33,770 | $16.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,230 | $18.86 |
| Bartender | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,540 | $15.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,450 | $13.68 |
| Dishwasher | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,690 | $14.76 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,510 | $29.09 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $46,170 | $22.20 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Nebraska is $36,390 a year, or $17.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Nebraska earn at least $45,380 a year. The top 25% earn $39,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,890 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $34,040 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Nebraska?
About 4,410 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.