Food Preparation Worker salary in Nebraska
Food Preparation Workers in Nebraska earn a median of $35,210 a year ($16.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,560 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,320. Nebraska ranks 23rd of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 6.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,880, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,740 | $13.82 |
| 25th percentile | $29,870 | $14.36 |
| Median | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| 75th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| Average (mean) | $34,880 | $16.77 |
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 cities in Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,140 | 3,690 |
| Lincoln, NE | $35,210 | 1,270 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,030 | $17.81 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 Nebraska?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Nebraska is $35,210 a year, or $16.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Nebraska earn at least $42,560 a year. The top 25% earn $37,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,740 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,870 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Nebraska?
About 6,890 food preparation workers are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.