SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Middle Georgia
Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Middle Georgia, GA is $50,580 a year, trailing the national median of $62,470 by 19.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Middle Georgia, GA is $50,580 a year, trailing the national median of $62,470 by 19.0%. Half of workers earn between $42,550 and $71,270. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,580 and the ninetieth at $92,730.
Atlanta leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $74,660. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 151st of 352 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,580 | −41.4% |
| 25th | $42,550 | −31.9% |
| Median (50th) | $50,580 | −19.0% |
| 75th | $71,270 | +14.1% |
| 90th | $92,730 | +48.4% |
| Mean | $59,780 | −4.3% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | $74,660 | 2,370 | |
| 2 | Gainesville | $70,780 | 40 | |
| 3 | Augusta | $68,070 | 230 | |
| 4 | Warner Robins | $67,530 | 40 | |
| 5 | Dalton | $66,090 | 40 | |
| 6 | Savannah | $63,700 | 260 | |
| 7 | Columbus | $62,920 | 90 | |
| 8 | Brunswick | $61,600 | 90 | |
| 9 | Albany | $59,540 | 40 | |
| 10 | Athens | $50,330 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Middle Georgia run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $50,580 goes as far as $52,523 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$50,580as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,523US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,580 a year, 19.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,580 to $92,730 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Atlanta, at $74,660.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Middle Georgia, GA?
The median annual wage is $50,580, or $24.32 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Middle Georgia, GA is 19.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Middle Georgia, GA earns more than $92,730 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,580 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Atlanta, at $74,660 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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