Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$34,800$16.73 per hour · $2,900 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (GA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $11.25/hr | $1,950 | $23,400 | $20,461 |
| 25th Percentile | $13.61/hr | $2,358 | $28,300 | $24,251 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $16.73/hr | $2,900 | $34,800 | $29,154 |
| 75th Percentile | $17.64/hr | $3,058 | $36,700 | $30,586 |
| 90th Percentile | $20.14/hr | $3,492 | $41,900 | $34,504 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Athens-Clarke County, GA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,800 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Georgia:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Athens-Clarke County, GA
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $34,800, which equates to approximately $2,900 per month or $16.73 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $16.73 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.25/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.14/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Athens-Clarke County, GA span from $23,400 at the 10th percentile to $28,300 at the 25th, $36,700 at the 75th, and $41,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
On a median gross salary of $34,800, an estimated $29,154 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,121 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Georgia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,646 (an effective rate of 16.2%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
On the median annual salary of $34,800, gross monthly income is $2,900. After federal, FICA, and Georgia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,429 per month (or $1,121 every two weeks).
Is $34,800 a good salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
At $34,800, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 53% of the Athens-Clarke County, GA median household income ($65,608). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.3, making regional consumer goods and services 6.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.