How much does a cook make in Columbus?
$35,200a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Columbus, OH metro area. That is $16.92 an hour or $2,933 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.92
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 87 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 1,100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,440Median: $35,200Highest 10%: $45,050
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,440 | $13.67 | |
| 25th | $31,480 | $15.13 | |
| Median | $35,200 | $16.92 | |
| 75th | $39,660 | $19.07 | |
| 90th | $45,050 | $21.66 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Cincinnati, OH | $32,180 |
| Canton, OH | $31,450 |
| Akron, OH | $31,430 |
| Youngstown, OH | $29,350 |
| Dayton, OH | $28,200 |
| Toledo, OH | $27,970 |
| Springfield, OH | $27,600 |
| Wheeling, WV | $27,590 |
| Sandusky, OH | $27,560 |
| Huntington, WV | $26,470 |
| Cleveland, OH | $22,260 |
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 | $36,590 |
| 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 $16.92 ($35,200 a year).
Do cooks make more in Columbus than the national average?
No: $35,200 against $35,880 nationally, 2% less.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $29,290, so Columbus pays 20% more.
Where does Columbus rank for cook pay?
87 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,440 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,050 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.