Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

In the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $34,300 ($16.49/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,100/year and the 90th was $41,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Georgia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,777 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$34,300$16.49 per hour · $2,858 monthly
10th Percentile$23,100$11.11/hr base
25th Percentile$27,900$13.41/hr base
75th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
90th Percentile$41,200$19.81/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$34,300
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,300
Net 84%
Fed 6%
GA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,777After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,398Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,107Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,936 / yr
Georgia state income tax$963 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,624 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Cooks, Restaurant in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (GA)
10th Percentile$11.11/hr$1,925$23,100$20,229
25th Percentile$13.41/hr$2,325$27,900$23,942
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.49/hr$2,858$34,300$28,777
75th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$30,133
90th Percentile$19.81/hr$3,433$41,200$33,977

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$69,344Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.98.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio49.5%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Georgia:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC is $34,300, which equates to approximately $2,858 per month or $16.49 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC is $16.49 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.11/hour and one in ten earned more than $19.81/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC span from $23,100 at the 10th percentile to $27,900 at the 25th, $36,100 at the 75th, and $41,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?

On a median gross salary of $34,300, an estimated $28,777 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,107 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Georgia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,523 (an effective rate of 16.1%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?

On the median annual salary of $34,300, gross monthly income is $2,858. After federal, FICA, and Georgia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,398 per month (or $1,107 every two weeks).

Is $34,300 a good salary in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?

At $34,300, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 49.5% of the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC median household income ($69,344). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.