Food Preparation Worker salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Food Preparation Workers in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $36,140 a year ($17.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,680 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 3% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $35,210. There are 7.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,610, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| 25th percentile | $29,800 | $14.33 |
| Median | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| 75th percentile | $37,930 | $18.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Average (mean) | $35,610 | $17.12 |
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 | $3,011.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,505.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,390 |
| Weekly | $695 |
| Hourly | $17.37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $35,210 | 1,270 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,120 | 270 |
| Grand Island, NE | $34,590 | 190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $33,120 | 770 |
| Dubuque, IA | $32,520 | 150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $32,050 | 170 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $31,330 | 280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 620 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $30,940 | 340 |
| Ames, IA | $29,900 | 140 |
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 Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $36,140 a year, or $17.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $43,680 a year. The top 25% earn $37,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,100 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,800 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 3,690 food preparation workers are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.