Cooks, Short Order salary in Columbus, OH
Cooks, Short Order in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $35,200 a year ($16.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,050 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay here is 20% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $29,290. There are 1.00 cooks, short order per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,440 | $13.67 |
| 25th percentile | $31,480 | $15.14 |
| Median | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| 75th percentile | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Average (mean) | $36,100 | $17.36 |
Half of cooks, short order 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 | $2,933.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,466.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,353.85 |
| Weekly | $676.92 |
| Hourly | $16.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Short Order salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $32,180 | 580 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $31,450 | n/a |
| Akron, OH | $31,430 | 240 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $29,350 | 180 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $28,200 | n/a |
| Toledo, OH | $27,970 | 290 |
| Springfield, OH | $27,600 | 50 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $27,590 | 70 |
| Sandusky, OH | $27,560 | 110 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $26,470 | 80 |
| Cleveland, OH | $22,260 | 1,610 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, short order
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,630 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 |
| California | $42,930 |
| Washington | $42,760 |
| Colorado | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 |
See Cooks, Short Order pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,930 | $17.75 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $25,290 | $12.16 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,490 | $18.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Bartender | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,650 | $13.29 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,000 | $14.42 |
| Dishwasher | $33,690 | $16.20 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,250 | $15.50 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $27,080 | $13.02 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,830 | $28.77 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2015. 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, short order make in Columbus, OH?
The median salary for cooks, short order in the Columbus, OH metro area is $35,200 a year, or $16.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $45,050 a year. The top 25% earn $39,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,440 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $31,480 or less.
How many cooks, short order work in Columbus, OH?
About 1,100 cooks, short order are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.