SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Augusta
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Augusta, GA is $28,490 a year, trailing the national median of $35,880 by 20.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Augusta, GA is $28,490 a year, trailing the national median of $35,880 by 20.6%. Half of workers earn between $21,300 and $35,580. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $20,000 and the ninetieth at $37,700.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.5 of every thousand jobs. Athens leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $31,120. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 417th of 437 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,000 | −44.3% |
| 25th | $21,300 | −40.6% |
| Median (50th) | $28,490 | −20.6% |
| 75th | $35,580 | −0.8% |
| 90th | $37,700 | +5.1% |
| Mean | $29,260 | −18.5% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athens | $31,120 | 100 | |
| 2 | Hinesville | $30,110 | 30 | |
| 3 | Savannah | $28,160 | 180 | |
| 4 | Warner Robins | $22,880 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Augusta run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $28,490 goes as far as $29,585 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,585US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,490 a year, 20.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $20,000 to $37,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Athens, at $31,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Augusta, GA?
The median annual wage is $28,490, or $13.70 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 $35,880, so pay in Augusta, GA is 20.6% 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 Augusta, GA earns more than $37,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $20,000 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 Athens, at $31,120 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Augusta, 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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