Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Augusta, GA-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

Median annual salary $54,460 -10.7% vs national
Median hourly $26.18
10th percentile $36,610
90th percentile $89,000
Employed locally 170
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,610
    25th
    $47,630
    50th (median)
    $54,460
    75th
    $75,210
    90th
    $89,000

    Augusta economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,628 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 82% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 18% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $65,930
    Sheboygan, WI $63,740
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $60,740
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $58,590
    Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area $58,560

    Related occupations in Augusta, GA-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $24,960
    Waiters and Waitresses $18,200
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,840
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,750
    Food Preparation Workers $30,530
    Bartenders $20,500

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Augusta?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Augusta, GA-SC is $26.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $43.28 or more per hour.

    Is Augusta above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Augusta, GA-SC is 10.7% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Augusta?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $36,610 per year in Augusta, GA-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,630.