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Columbus, OH · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Columbus, OH

In the Columbus, OH metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $36,600 ($17.60/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $28,400/year and the 90th was $46,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Ohio tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,032 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,600$17.60 per hour · $3,050 monthly
10th Percentile$28,400$13.65/hr base
25th Percentile$30,400$14.62/hr base
75th Percentile$39,000$18.75/hr base
90th Percentile$46,200$22.21/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 payWhat $37,000 a year leaves after tax in OhioFederal tax, FICA and Ohio withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $37,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $37,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Ohio publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Ohio.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$36,600
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,600
Net 85%
Fed 6%
OH 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,032After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,586Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,194Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,212 / yr
Ohio state income tax$556 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,800 / yr
Customize deductions in full Ohio calculator

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Columbus, OH

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, OH Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (OH)
10th Percentile$13.65/hr$2,367$28,400$24,997
25th Percentile$14.62/hr$2,533$30,400$26,221
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.60/hr$3,050$36,600$31,032
75th Percentile$18.75/hr$3,250$39,000$32,894
90th Percentile$22.21/hr$3,850$46,200$38,475

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbus, OH

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,945Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.54.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio44.7%of area median income

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

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Cooks, Restaurant pay in other Ohio metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Columbus, OH. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Columbus, OH

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Columbus, OH?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Columbus, OH is $36,600, which equates to approximately $3,050 per month or $17.60 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Columbus, OH?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Columbus, OH is $17.60 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $13.65/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.21/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Columbus, OH?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Columbus, OH span from $28,400 at the 10th percentile to $30,400 at the 25th, $39,000 at the 75th, and $46,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Columbus, OH?

On a median gross salary of $36,600, an estimated $31,032 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,194 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Ohio in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,568 (an effective rate of 15.2%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Columbus, OH?

On the median annual salary of $36,600, gross monthly income is $3,050. After federal, FICA, and Ohio state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,586 per month (or $1,194 every two weeks).

Is $36,600 a good salary in Columbus, OH?

At $36,600, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 44.7% of the Columbus, OH median household income ($81,945). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.5, making regional consumer goods and services 4.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.