Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Nebraska
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,650
- 25th Percentile — Junior$46,020
- 50th Percentile — Median$60,510
- 75th Percentile — Senior$81,660
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$99,990
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Nebraska earn more than $60,510. The top 10% make $99,990 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,650.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Nebraska: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Nebraska ranks 21st of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $66,990 per year (0.4% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 540 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Nebraska — 0.3% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.41: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Nebraska than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,650; the top 10% earn over $99,990.
- Hourly equivalent: $32.21 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Nebraska, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($42,170).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Nebraska
Key factors affecting compensation
Nebraska's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $66,990 on average, placing the state 21st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Nebraska salary of $66,990 is roughly equivalent to $76,125 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Pennsylvania ($67,890), Oregon ($67,510), Nevada ($67,380) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Nebraska
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $42,170/yr Nebraska 37.1% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $39,590/yr Nebraska 40.9% vs this role
- Bartenders $38,350/yr Nebraska 42.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,310/yr Nebraska 44.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $37,190/yr Nebraska 44.5% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $33,170/yr Nebraska 50.5% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $31,910/yr Nebraska 52.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $30,910/yr Nebraska 53.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Nebraska?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Nebraska is $66,990 per year (median $60,510), which is 0.4% above the national average of $66,700.
How does Nebraska rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Nebraska ranks 21st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Nebraska?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Nebraska earn about $39,650 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,020.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Nebraska?
About $32.21 per hour, based on the $66,990 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Nebraska?
BLS counts 540 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Nebraska (OEWS May 2025).
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