Bartender Salary in Lincoln, NE
Bartenders in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median $30,660 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,269 take-home, or $2,189 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Lincoln, NE. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,499
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,901
- Medicare (1.45%)$445
- Nebraska income tax$546
- Take-home pay$26,269
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.51% state
Bartender pay by experience in Lincoln, NE
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,080 | $13.50 | $24,278 | $2,023 |
| 25th percentile | $28,080 | $13.50 | $24,278 | $2,023 |
| Median (50th) | $30,660 | $14.74 | $26,269 | $2,189 |
| 75th percentile | $46,310 | $22.26 | $38,163 | $3,180 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,880 | $28.31 | $47,691 | $3,974 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Nebraska resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,660 buys in Lincoln, NE
Prices in Lincoln, NE are 8.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 16% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median bartender's $26,269 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,684 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lincoln, NE has 1.3× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Lincoln, NE ranks #105 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $86,280 | $64,501 | $58,962 |
| 2 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $75,340 | $57,636 | $51,943 |
| 3 | Kennewick, WA | $55,820 | $47,031 | $46,994 |
| 4 | Bellingham, WA | $56,110 | $47,264 | $45,739 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $58,180 | $48,928 | $44,026 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $61,220 | $48,661 | $43,230 |
| 7 | Bremerton, WA | $53,810 | $45,416 | $43,005 |
| 8 | Portland, ME | $54,170 | $43,231 | $42,442 |
| 105 | Lincoln, NE | $30,660 | $26,269 | $28,684 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
Bartender salaries elsewhere in Nebraska
- Omaha, NE — $34,630
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Lincoln, NE?
The median bartender salary in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $30,660 a year, or about $14.74 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,080 and $46,310.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Lincoln, NE?
On the median $30,660 salary, a single filer living in Nebraska takes home about $26,269 a year ($2,189 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $546 in Nebraska taxes in 2026.
Is Lincoln, NE a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 8.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,684 would in a typical U.S. city. Lincoln, NE ranks #105 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender afford rent in Lincoln, NE?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lincoln, NE is $917 a month ($1,132 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,230
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,290
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,830
- Waiter and Waitress — $36,080
- Food Preparation Worker — $35,210
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $29,480
- Cooks, Fast Food — $29,430
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,510
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,150