How much does a chef and head cook make in Athens?
$50,330a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area. That is $24.20 an hour or $4,194 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.20
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 263 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 60
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,890Median: $50,330Highest 10%: $89,070
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,890 | $17.74 | |
| 25th | $41,690 | $20.04 | |
| Median | $50,330 | $24.20 | |
| 75th | $82,980 | $39.89 | |
| 90th | $89,070 | $42.82 |
Other cities in Georgia
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Atlanta, GA | $74,660 |
| Augusta, GA | $68,070 |
| Savannah, GA | $63,700 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $63,690 |
| Columbus, GA | $62,920 |
| Brunswick, GA | $61,600 |
| Macon, GA | $50,080 |
Related jobs in Athens
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,060 |
| Cook | $33,960 |
| Cook | $33,540 |
| Food Server | $31,680 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,190 |
| Cook | $31,120 |
| Dishwasher | $27,870 |
| Host and Hostess | $25,840 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $24,960 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $24,220 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Athens?
The median hourly pay in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $24.20 ($50,330 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Athens than the national average?
No: $50,330 against $62,470 nationally, 19% less.
How does Athens compare with the rest of Georgia?
The median in Georgia is $66,230, so Athens pays 24% less.
Where does Athens rank for chef and head cook pay?
263 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Athens?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,890 or less a year; the top 10% make $89,070 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.