SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Atlanta
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Atlanta, GA is $37,080 per year, close to the national median of $37,450 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Atlanta, GA is $37,080 per year, close to the national median of $37,450 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $33,860 and $41,210. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $30,830 and the ninetieth at $45,710.
Employment stands at 4,170, or 1.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Gainesville records the highest median at $38,220. Of the 687 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 617th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,830 | −17.7% |
| 25th | $33,860 | −9.6% |
| Median (50th) | $37,080 | −1.0% |
| 75th | $41,210 | +10.0% |
| 90th | $45,710 | +22.1% |
| Mean | $37,740 | +0.8% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gainesville | $38,220 | 170 | |
| 2 | Savannah | $35,480 | 280 | |
| 3 | Augusta | $34,970 | 430 | |
| 4 | Athens | $33,960 | 130 | |
| 5 | Brunswick | $33,530 | 100 | |
| 6 | Columbus | $31,940 | 350 | |
| 7 | Rome | $31,150 | 90 | |
| 8 | Macon | $31,090 | 260 | |
| 9 | Albany | $30,430 | 140 | |
| 10 | Warner Robins | $30,050 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Atlanta run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $37,080 goes as far as $38,505 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,505US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,080 a year, 1.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,830 to $45,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,170 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Gainesville, at $38,220.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Atlanta, GA?
The median annual wage is $37,080, or $17.83 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 $37,450, so pay in Atlanta, GA is 1.0% 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 Atlanta, GA earns more than $45,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,830 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 Gainesville, at $38,220 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,170 jobs in this occupation in Atlanta, GA. Self-employed workers are not included.
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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