SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — South Georgia
South Georgia nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in South Georgia, GA is $71,270 per year, 14.1% above the national median of $62,470.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in South Georgia, GA is $71,270 per year, 14.1% above the national median of $62,470. Pay ranges from under $34,480 at the tenth percentile to more than $89,110 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $43,740 to $88,660.
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 82nd of 414 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,480 | −44.8% |
| 25th | $43,740 | −30.0% |
| Median (50th) | $71,270 | +14.1% |
| 75th | $88,660 | +41.9% |
| 90th | $89,110 | +42.6% |
| Mean | $66,520 | +6.5% |
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 South Georgia run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $71,270 goes as far as $74,008 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$71,270as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$74,008US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $71,270 a year, 14.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,480 to $89,110 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 South Georgia, GA?
The median annual wage is $71,270, or $34.27 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 South Georgia, GA is 14.1% higher. 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 South Georgia, GA earns more than $89,110 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,480 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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