SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — South Nebraska
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
At $29,700, median pay for Cooks, Fast Food in South Nebraska, NE tracks the national median of $30,890 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $29,700, median pay for Cooks, Fast Food in South Nebraska, NE tracks the national median of $30,890 closely. Pay ranges from under $28,080 at the tenth percentile to more than $36,420 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $28,080 to $33,570.
The area has 500 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.78 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Omaha records the highest median at $31,220. Of the 411 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 390th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,080 | −9.1% |
| 25th | $28,080 | −9.1% |
| Median (50th) | $29,700 | −3.9% |
| 75th | $33,570 | +8.7% |
| 90th | $36,420 | +17.9% |
| Mean | $30,970 | +0.3% |
Other metro areas in Nebraska
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $31,220 | 1,480 | |
| 2 | Grand Island | $29,970 | 90 | |
| 3 | Lincoln | $29,430 | 760 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Nebraska run 9.9% below the national average, so the median of $29,700 goes as far as $32,963 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,700as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,963US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,700 a year, 3.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,080 to $36,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 500 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Omaha, at $31,220.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in South Nebraska, NE?
The median annual wage is $29,700, or $14.28 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $30,890, so pay in South Nebraska, NE is 3.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Nebraska, NE earns more than $36,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,080 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Omaha, at $31,220 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 500 jobs in this occupation in South Nebraska, NE. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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