How much does a cook make in Columbus?
$38,100a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Columbus, OH metro area. That is $18.32 an hour or $3,175 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.32
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 137 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 4,020
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $30,870Median: $38,100Highest 10%: $47,410
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,870 | $14.84 | |
| 25th | $36,280 | $17.44 | |
| Median | $38,100 | $18.32 | |
| 75th | $45,370 | $21.81 | |
| 90th | $47,410 | $22.79 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Cincinnati, OH | $37,180 |
| Akron, OH | $37,080 |
| Cleveland, OH | $36,930 |
| Toledo, OH | $36,760 |
| Dayton, OH | $36,680 |
| Mansfield, OH | $35,890 |
| Sandusky, OH | $35,880 |
| Lima, OH | $35,820 |
| Springfield, OH | $35,590 |
| Canton, OH | $35,530 |
| Youngstown, OH | $34,510 |
| Weirton, WV | $30,850 |
| Wheeling, WV | $30,600 |
| Huntington, WV | $29,630 |
Related jobs in Columbus
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,830 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Columbus?
The median hourly pay in the Columbus, OH metro area is $18.32 ($38,100 a year).
Do cooks make more in Columbus than the national average?
Yes: $38,100 against $37,450 nationally, 2% more.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $36,720, so Columbus pays 4% more.
Where does Columbus rank for cook pay?
137 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,870 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,410 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.