How much does a cook make in Columbus?
$29,740a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Columbus, IN metro area. That is $14.30 an hour or $2,478 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.30
- Vs. national median
- -20%
- Rank among cities
- 354 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 360
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $25,740Median: $29,740Highest 10%: $40,930
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,740 | $12.38 | |
| 25th | $28,320 | $13.62 | |
| Median | $29,740 | $14.30 | |
| 75th | $36,380 | $17.49 | |
| 90th | $40,930 | $19.68 |
Other cities in Indiana
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Chicago, IL | $38,930 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $36,610 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $36,030 |
| Louisville, KY | $35,950 |
| Kokomo, IN | $35,300 |
| Bloomington, IN | $34,910 |
| Lafayette, IN | $34,870 |
| South Bend, IN | $34,650 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $34,490 |
| Evansville, IN | $34,290 |
| Elkhart, IN | $33,770 |
| Muncie, IN | $30,050 |
| Michigan City, IN | $29,860 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $29,830 |
Related jobs in Columbus
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $44,250 |
| Cook | $35,490 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,150 |
| 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 $14.30 ($29,740 a year).
Do cooks make more in Columbus than the national average?
No: $29,740 against $37,390 nationally, 20% less.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Indiana?
The median in Indiana is $35,170, so Columbus pays 15% less.
Where does Columbus rank for cook pay?
354 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $25,740 or less a year; the top 10% make $40,930 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.