How much does a cook make in Athens?
$31,120a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area. That is $14.96 an hour or $2,593 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.96
- Vs. national median
- -13%
- Rank among cities
- 140 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $18,910Median: $31,120Highest 10%: $36,590
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,910 | $9.09 | |
| 25th | $26,410 | $12.70 | |
| Median | $31,120 | $14.96 | |
| 75th | $36,090 | $17.35 | |
| 90th | $36,590 | $17.59 |
Other cities in Georgia
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Chattanooga, TN | $29,950 |
| Augusta, GA | $28,490 |
| Savannah, GA | $28,160 |
Related jobs in Athens
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $50,330 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,060 |
| Cook | $33,960 |
| Cook | $33,540 |
| Food Server | $31,680 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,190 |
| Dishwasher | $27,870 |
| Host and Hostess | $25,840 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $24,960 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $24,220 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Athens?
The median hourly pay in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $14.96 ($31,120 a year).
Do cooks make more in Athens than the national average?
No: $31,120 against $35,880 nationally, 13% less.
How does Athens compare with the rest of Georgia?
The median in Georgia is $26,870, so Athens pays 16% more.
Where does Athens rank for cook pay?
140 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Athens?
The lowest-paid 10% make $18,910 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,590 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.