Waiter and Waitress Salary in Omaha, NE
Waiters and Waitresses in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median $34,290 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,051 take-home, or $2,421 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Omaha, NE. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,935
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,126
- Medicare (1.45%)$497
- Nebraska income tax$681
- Take-home pay$29,051
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.55% state
The Omaha, NE-IA metro spans Nebraska, Iowa. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Omaha, NE
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,080 | $13.50 | $24,278 | $2,023 |
| 25th percentile | $29,220 | $14.05 | $25,163 | $2,097 |
| Median (50th) | $34,290 | $16.49 | $29,051 | $2,421 |
| 75th percentile | $47,530 | $22.85 | $39,087 | $3,257 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,870 | $28.78 | $48,441 | $4,037 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Nebraska resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,290 buys in Omaha, NE
Prices in Omaha, NE are 8.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median waiter and waitress's $29,051 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,608 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waiter and Waitress jobs are about as common in Omaha, NE as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.05).
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Omaha, NE ranks #111 of 375 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $82,550 | $62,160 | $56,823 |
| 2 | Burlington, VT | $61,620 | $50,061 | $49,591 |
| 3 | Bellingham, WA | $56,700 | $47,738 | $46,198 |
| 4 | Bremerton, WA | $55,270 | $46,589 | $44,116 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon, WA | $53,060 | $44,814 | $43,745 |
| 6 | Yakima, WA | $49,060 | $41,600 | $43,539 |
| 7 | Kennewick, WA | $51,460 | $43,528 | $43,494 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $57,280 | $48,204 | $43,375 |
| 111 | Omaha, NE | $34,290 | $29,051 | $31,608 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 375 metros →
Waiter and Waitress salaries elsewhere in Nebraska
- Lincoln, NE — $36,080
- Grand Island, NE — $29,840
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Omaha, NE?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $34,290 a year, or about $16.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,220 and $47,530.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Omaha, NE?
On the median $34,290 salary, a single filer living in Nebraska takes home about $29,051 a year ($2,421 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $681 in Nebraska taxes in 2026.
Is Omaha, NE a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 8.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,608 would in a typical U.S. city. Omaha, NE ranks #111 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress afford rent in Omaha, NE?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Omaha, NE is $1,144 a month ($1,362 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $40,740
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,840
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,750
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,140
- Bartender — $34,630
- Dishwasher — $33,810
- Cooks, Short Order — $32,710
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $32,150
- Cooks, Fast Food — $31,220
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $31,170
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,450
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $28,500