Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Omaha, NE-IA

In Omaha, NE-IA, cooks working in restaurants earn a median annual salary of $37,560, with an hourly wage of approximately $18.06. This figure is slightly above the national median for this occupation, which stands at $36,830. When compared to the local area's median household income of $83,023, the earnings of restaurant cooks represent a smaller fraction of the total household income, indicating that they may need additional sources of income or support to meet typical living expenses in Omaha.

Entry-level cooks in Omaha generally earn around the 10th percentile mark, which is approximately $27,700 annually. In contrast, more experienced workers can reach earnings near the 75th percentile at about $42,990 per year, with top earners achieving salaries up to the 90th percentile of $45,490. The disparity in wages between entry-level and seasoned cooks is driven primarily by factors such as experience, skill level, and specialization within the culinary field. Additionally, opportunities for advancement into supervisory roles or specialized kitchen positions can also contribute significantly to higher earnings among experienced workers.