Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Columbus

In Columbus (OH), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $18.32 an hour ($38,100 a year). About 4,020 people work in this job there.

$18.32Median hourly pay

$36,280–$45,370Middle half of workers, yearly

4,020People in this job in Columbus (OH)

That is 2% higher than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is 4% higher than the Ohio median ($36,720).

Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Columbus (OH)

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$14.84	$30,870
25% of workers	$17.44	$36,280
Half of workers (median)	$18.32	$38,100
75% of workers	$21.81	$45,370
90% of workers	$22.80	$47,410

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Ohio metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Columbus (this page)	$38,100	4,020
Cincinnati	$37,180	4,310
Akron	$37,080	1,310
Cleveland	$36,930	4,080
Toledo	$36,760	1,280
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek	$36,680	1,510
Mansfield	$35,890	270
Sandusky	$35,880	270
Lima	$35,820	260
Springfield	$35,590	280
Canton-Massillon	$35,530	760
Youngstown-Warren	$34,510	740

Ohio unemployment rate: 3.3% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria

Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Columbus (OH)

Job	Median yearly pay
Fast Food and Counter Workers	$28,670
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	$37,790
Cooks, Restaurant	$36,590
Food Preparation Workers	$36,930
Cooks, Fast Food	$25,290
Food Service Managers	$63,420
Bakers	$36,430
Cooks, Short Order	$35,200

Other job titles for this job

Food Service SpecialistCulinary SpecialistSous ChefBoarding House CookCafeteria CookCamp CookDietary CookDinner CookGalley CookInstitutional CookKitchen CookMess Cook

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.