Food Preparation Worker salary in Lincoln, NE
Food Preparation Workers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $35,210 a year ($16.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,510 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,320. Pay here is about the same as the Nebraska statewide median of $35,210. There are 7.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| 25th percentile | $32,840 | $15.79 |
| Median | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| 75th percentile | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,510 | $19.48 |
| Average (mean) | $35,290 | $16.97 |
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 | $2,934.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,467.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,354.23 |
| Weekly | $677.12 |
| Hourly | $16.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,140 | 3,690 |
| Grand Island, NE | $34,590 | 190 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $35,210 a year, or $16.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $40,510 a year. The top 25% earn $36,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,100 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $32,840 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Lincoln, NE?
About 1,270 food preparation workers are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.