Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $31,940 a year ($15.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,070 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 9% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $35,090. There are 3.0 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,830 | $10.49 |
| 25th percentile | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| Median | $31,940 | $15.36 |
| 75th percentile | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,070 | $18.78 |
| Average (mean) | $32,250 | $15.51 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,661.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,330.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,228.46 |
| Weekly | $614.23 |
| Hourly | $15.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, GA | $38,220 | 170 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $37,080 | 4,170 |
| Savannah, GA | $35,480 | 280 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $34,970 | 430 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $33,960 | 130 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $33,530 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $33,410 | 940 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $31,700 | 470 |
| Rome, GA | $31,150 | 90 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $31,090 | 260 |
| Albany, GA | $30,430 | 140 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $30,050 | 80 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,710 | 90 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $29,680 | 260 |
| Mobile, AL | $28,580 | 630 |
| Huntsville, AL | $28,110 | 800 |
| Dothan, AL | $27,860 | 180 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $27,270 | 320 |
| Birmingham, AL | $27,220 | 2,460 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $27,210 | 240 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $23,960 | 210 |
| Decatur, AL | $23,650 | 220 |
| Montgomery, AL | $23,080 | 750 |
| Gadsden, AL | $22,480 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,470 | $14.65 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,030 | $13.96 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,300 | $11.20 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Bartender | $20,940 | $10.07 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $25,740 | $12.38 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,890 | $11.96 |
| Dishwasher | $28,490 | $13.70 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $28,360 | $13.64 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $26,370 | $12.68 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $31,940 a year, or $15.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $39,070 a year. The top 25% earn $36,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,830 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $28,510 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 350 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.