Waiters and Waitresses salary in Lincoln, NE
Waiters and Waitresses in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $36,080 a year ($17.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,980 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 7% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $33,770. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| 25th percentile | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Median | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| 75th percentile | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Average (mean) | $41,660 | $20.03 |
Half of waiters and waitresses 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 | $3,006.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,503.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,387.69 |
| Weekly | $693.85 |
| Hourly | $17.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $34,290 | 7,620 |
| Grand Island, NE | $29,840 | 570 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $26,430 | 1,030 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Bartender | $30,660 | $14.74 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,150 | $13.54 |
| Dishwasher | $30,060 | $14.45 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| 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 35-3031. 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 waiters and waitresses make in Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $36,080 a year, or $17.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $60,980 a year. The top 25% earn $47,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,080 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $29,390 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Lincoln, NE?
About 2,520 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.