Columbus, GA-AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Columbus, GA-AL

In the Columbus, GA-AL metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $32,400 ($15.58/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $24,300/year and the 90th was $39,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,928 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 89.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$32,400$15.58 per hour · $2,700 monthly
10th Percentile$24,300$11.68/hr base
25th Percentile$29,100$13.99/hr base
75th Percentile$36,400$17.50/hr base
90th Percentile$39,400$18.94/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

$32,400
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$32,400
Net 83%
Fed 5%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,928After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,244Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,036Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,708 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,286 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,479 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Columbus, GA-AL

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 Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$11.68/hr$2,025$24,300$20,712
25th Percentile$13.99/hr$2,425$29,100$24,429
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.58/hr$2,700$32,400$26,928
75th Percentile$17.50/hr$3,033$36,400$29,957
90th Percentile$18.94/hr$3,283$39,400$32,235

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbus, GA-AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$32,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$59,336Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index89.310.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio54.6%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Columbus, GA-AL

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Columbus, GA-AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Columbus, GA-AL is $32,400, which equates to approximately $2,700 per month or $15.58 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Columbus, GA-AL?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Columbus, GA-AL is $15.58 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.68/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.94/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Columbus, GA-AL?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Columbus, GA-AL span from $24,300 at the 10th percentile to $29,100 at the 25th, $36,400 at the 75th, and $39,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Columbus, GA-AL?

On a median gross salary of $32,400, an estimated $26,928 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,036 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,472 (an effective rate of 16.9%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Columbus, GA-AL?

On the median annual salary of $32,400, gross monthly income is $2,700. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,244 per month (or $1,036 every two weeks).

Is $32,400 a good salary in Columbus, GA-AL?

At $32,400, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 54.6% of the Columbus, GA-AL median household income ($59,336). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 89.3, making regional consumer goods and services 10.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.