How much does a cook make in Columbus?
$25,290a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Columbus, OH metro area. That is $12.16 an hour or $2,108 a month.
- Hourly
- $12.16
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 270 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 2,210
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,070Median: $25,290Highest 10%: $36,060
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,070 | $11.09 | |
| 25th | $23,330 | $11.22 | |
| Median | $25,290 | $12.16 | |
| 75th | $33,540 | $16.13 | |
| 90th | $36,060 | $17.34 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Cleveland, OH | $29,120 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $28,930 |
| Dayton, OH | $26,950 |
| Mansfield, OH | $26,360 |
| Canton, OH | $26,300 |
| Akron, OH | $26,270 |
| Lima, OH | $26,210 |
| Springfield, OH | $25,980 |
| Weirton, WV | $23,710 |
| Wheeling, WV | $23,110 |
| Huntington, WV | $22,610 |
| Toledo, OH | $22,560 |
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 |
| Cook | $35,200 |
| Dishwasher | $33,690 |
| Food Server | $32,250 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Columbus?
The median hourly pay in the Columbus, OH metro area is $12.16 ($25,290 a year).
Do cooks make more in Columbus than the national average?
No: $25,290 against $30,890 nationally, 18% less.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $26,870, so Columbus pays 6% less.
Where does Columbus rank for cook pay?
270 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,070 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,060 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.