How much does a cook make in Columbus?
$35,490a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Columbus, IN metro area. That is $17.06 an hour or $2,958 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.06
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 258 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,060Median: $35,490Highest 10%: $43,530
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,060 | $13.49 | |
| 25th | $29,760 | $14.31 | |
| Median | $35,490 | $17.06 | |
| 75th | $36,620 | $17.61 | |
| 90th | $43,530 | $20.93 |
Other cities in Indiana
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Lafayette, IN | $38,580 |
| Chicago, IL | $38,290 |
| Louisville, KY | $37,370 |
| Bloomington, IN | $37,230 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $37,180 |
| South Bend, IN | $37,010 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $36,350 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $36,300 |
| Kokomo, IN | $36,290 |
| Elkhart, IN | $36,170 |
| Michigan City, IN | $36,100 |
| Evansville, IN | $35,180 |
| Muncie, IN | $34,370 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $33,300 |
Related jobs in Columbus
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,250 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,150 |
| Cook | $29,740 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,290 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,670 |
| Host and Hostess | $26,360 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $26,340 |
| Bartender | $23,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Columbus?
The median hourly pay in the Columbus, IN metro area is $17.06 ($35,490 a year).
Do cooks make more in Columbus than the national average?
No: $35,490 against $37,450 nationally, 5% less.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Indiana?
The median in Indiana is $35,980, so Columbus pays 1% less.
Where does Columbus rank for cook pay?
258 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,060 or less a year; the top 10% make $43,530 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.