Cooks, Restaurant Salary in South Nebraska

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $30,800 -16.4% vs national
Median hourly $14.81
10th percentile $24,960
90th percentile $42,780
Employed locally 700
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,960
    25th
    $27,690
    50th (median)
    $30,800
    75th
    $36,250
    90th
    $42,780

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in South Nebraska

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $29,040
    Waiters and Waitresses $29,490
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,800
    Food Preparation Workers $30,250
    Bartenders $28,960
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in South Nebraska?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in South Nebraska is $14.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.94 or more per hour.

    Is South Nebraska above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in South Nebraska is 16.4% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in South Nebraska?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $24,960 per year in South Nebraska. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,690.