Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Columbus, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, OH

Median annual salary $59,820 -1.9% vs national
Median hourly $28.76
10th percentile $40,390
90th percentile $99,910
Employed locally 670
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Columbus, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,390
    25th
    $47,080
    50th (median)
    $59,820
    75th
    $77,710
    90th
    $99,910

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,847 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 75% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 25% 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
    Canton-Massillon, OH $60,310
    Sandusky, OH $59,480
    Cleveland, OH $57,190
    Ohio $56,700
    Toledo, OH $56,360
    West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $55,900

    Related occupations in Columbus, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,940
    Waiters and Waitresses $37,230
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $38,540
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,510
    Bartenders $31,910
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $37,520

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Columbus, OH is $28.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.52 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Columbus, OH is 1.9% 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 Columbus?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $40,390 per year in Columbus, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,080.