SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Lincoln
Lincoln, NE · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $36,080 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $36,080 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $35,230. Half of workers earn between $29,390 and $47,730. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $28,080 and the ninetieth at $60,980.
The area has 2,520 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.95 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Omaha leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $34,290. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 406th of 446 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,080 | −20.3% |
| 25th | $29,390 | −16.6% |
| Median (50th) | $36,080 | +2.4% |
| 75th | $47,730 | +35.5% |
| 90th | $60,980 | +73.1% |
| Mean | $41,660 | +18.3% |
Other metro areas in Nebraska
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $34,290 | 7,620 | |
| 2 | Grand Island | $29,840 | 570 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lincoln run 9.9% below the national average, so the median of $36,080 goes as far as $40,044 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,044US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,080 a year, 2.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,080 to $60,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,520 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Omaha, at $34,290.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Lincoln, NE?
The median annual wage is $36,080, or $17.35 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 $35,230, so pay in Lincoln, NE is 2.4% higher. 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 Lincoln, NE earns more than $60,980 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 $34,290 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,520 jobs in this occupation in Lincoln, 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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