How much does a cook make in Columbus?
$36,590a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Columbus, OH metro area. That is $17.59 an hour or $3,049 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.59
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 156 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 8,600
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,960Median: $36,590Highest 10%: $45,910
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,960 | $13.92 | |
| 25th | $31,200 | $15.00 | |
| Median | $36,590 | $17.59 | |
| 75th | $38,680 | $18.60 | |
| 90th | $45,910 | $22.07 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Cleveland, OH | $37,060 |
| Akron, OH | $36,030 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $36,030 |
| Dayton, OH | $35,700 |
| Canton, OH | $35,600 |
| Toledo, OH | $35,560 |
| Sandusky, OH | $35,250 |
| Springfield, OH | $34,490 |
| Lima, OH | $34,200 |
| Youngstown, OH | $32,150 |
| Mansfield, OH | $31,300 |
| Weirton, WV | $30,030 |
| Wheeling, WV | $29,710 |
| Huntington, WV | $29,550 |
Related jobs in Columbus
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,830 |
| 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 | $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 $17.59 ($36,590 a year).
Do cooks make more in Columbus than the national average?
No: $36,590 against $37,390 nationally, 2% less.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $35,540, so Columbus pays 3% more.
Where does Columbus rank for cook pay?
156 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,960 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,910 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.