How much does a chef and head cook make in Columbus?
$59,830a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Columbus, OH metro area. That is $28.76 an hour or $4,986 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.76
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 152 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 750
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,600Median: $59,830Highest 10%: $96,770
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,600 | $19.52 | |
| 25th | $47,010 | $22.60 | |
| Median | $59,830 | $28.76 | |
| 75th | $75,630 | $36.36 | |
| 90th | $96,770 | $46.52 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Sandusky, OH | $67,190 |
| Cleveland, OH | $57,020 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $56,620 |
| Akron, OH | $55,060 |
| Youngstown, OH | $53,570 |
| Huntington, WV | $53,240 |
| Toledo, OH | $50,790 |
| Canton, OH | $49,730 |
| Dayton, OH | $47,580 |
Related jobs in Columbus
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Cook | $38,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,790 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $37,490 |
| Bartender | $37,000 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,930 |
| Cook | $36,590 |
| Cook | $35,200 |
| Dishwasher | $33,690 |
| Food Server | $32,250 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $30,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Columbus?
The median hourly pay in the Columbus, OH metro area is $28.76 ($59,830 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Columbus than the national average?
No: $59,830 against $62,470 nationally, 4% less.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $53,990, so Columbus pays 11% more.
Where does Columbus rank for chef and head cook pay?
152 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,600 or less a year; the top 10% make $96,770 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.