How much does a cook make in Atlanta?
$42,960a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area. That is $20.65 an hour or $3,580 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.65
- Vs. national median
- +14%
- Rank among cities
- 11 of 63
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,590Median: $42,960Highest 10%: $42,960
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,590 | $13.26 | |
| 25th | $36,390 | $17.50 | |
| Median | $42,960 | $20.65 | |
| 75th | $42,960 | $20.65 | |
| 90th | $42,960 | $20.65 |
Other cities in Georgia
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Chattanooga, TN | $35,990 |
Related jobs in Atlanta
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,660 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,240 |
| Cook | $37,230 |
| Cook | $37,080 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,090 |
| Food Server | $33,560 |
| Dishwasher | $31,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,470 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,560 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Atlanta?
The median hourly pay in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $20.65 ($42,960 a year).
Do cooks make more in Atlanta than the national average?
Yes: $42,960 against $37,690 nationally, 14% more.
How does Atlanta compare with the rest of Georgia?
The median in Georgia is $42,960, so Atlanta pays 0% more.
Where does Atlanta rank for cook pay?
11 of 63 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Atlanta?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,590 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,960 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.