SOC 35-2014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Restaurant — East Georgia
East Georgia nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in East Georgia, GA is $30,010 per year, 19.7% below the national median of $37,390.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in East Georgia, GA is $30,010 per year, 19.7% below the national median of $37,390. Half of workers earn between $26,820 and $35,450. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,050 and the ninetieth at $36,470.
Employment stands at 820, or 9.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Atlanta records the highest median at $37,230. Of the 299 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 268th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,050 | −41.0% |
| 25th | $26,820 | −28.3% |
| Median (50th) | $30,010 | −19.7% |
| 75th | $35,450 | −5.2% |
| 90th | $36,470 | −2.5% |
| Mean | $30,780 | −17.7% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | $37,230 | 29,040 | |
| 2 | Savannah | $35,940 | 2,570 | |
| 3 | Gainesville | $35,310 | 700 | |
| 4 | Brunswick | $34,480 | 760 | |
| 5 | Augusta | $33,990 | 2,200 | |
| 6 | Rome | $33,620 | 400 | |
| 7 | Athens | $33,540 | 1,120 | |
| 8 | Warner Robins | $32,180 | 780 | |
| 9 | Macon | $31,650 | 970 | |
| 10 | Dalton | $31,060 | 410 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Georgia run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $30,010 goes as far as $31,163 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,163US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,010 a year, 19.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,050 to $36,470 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 820 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Atlanta, at $37,230.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in East Georgia, GA?
The median annual wage is $30,010, or $14.43 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 $37,390, so pay in East Georgia, GA is 19.7% 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 East Georgia, GA earns more than $36,470 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,050 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 $37,230 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 820 jobs in this occupation in East Georgia, 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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