Cooks, Restaurant pay in Columbus

In Columbus (GA), the median pay for cooks, restaurant is $14.65 an hour ($30,470 a year). About 1,130 people work in this job there.

$14.65Median hourly pay
$27,590–$34,490Middle half of workers, yearly
1,130People in this job in Columbus (GA)

That is 19% lower than the U.S. median ($37,390). It is 15% lower than the Georgia median ($35,940).

Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Columbus (GA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$11.06$23,000
25% of workers$13.27$27,590
Half of workers (median)$14.65$30,470
75% of workers$16.58$34,490
90% of workers$17.94$37,310

Cooks, Restaurant pay in Georgia metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell$37,23029,040
Savannah$35,9402,570
Gainesville$35,310700
Brunswick-St. Simons$34,480760
Augusta-Richmond County$33,9902,200
Rome$33,620400
Athens-Clarke County$33,5401,120
Warner Robins$32,180780
Macon-Bibb County$31,650970
Dalton$31,060410
Columbus (this page)$30,4701,130
Valdosta$29,880680
Albany$29,150470

Georgia unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for cooks, restaurant

  • Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
  • Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
  • Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +12.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 218,600 openings a year (BLS)

Other job titles for this job

CookFRY CookGrill CookLine CookSpecialty CookPrep CookBack Line CookBanquet CookBreakfast CookForeign Food Specialty CookHotel CookLarder 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.