Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $33,960 a year ($16.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,820 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 3% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $35,090. There are 1.4 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $33,170, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| 25th percentile | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| Median | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| 75th percentile | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,820 | $18.67 |
| Average (mean) | $33,170 | $15.95 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,415 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,306.15 |
| Weekly | $653.08 |
| Hourly | $16.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, GA | $38,220 | 170 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $37,080 | 4,170 |
| Savannah, GA | $35,480 | 280 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $34,970 | 430 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $33,530 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $33,410 | 940 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $31,940 | 350 |
| Rome, GA | $31,150 | 90 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $31,090 | 260 |
| Albany, GA | $30,430 | 140 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $30,050 | 80 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,710 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $31,190 | $15.00 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,120 | $14.96 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $24,220 | $11.64 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,090 | $10.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Bartender | $20,400 | $9.81 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $25,840 | $12.42 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Dishwasher | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $22,020 | $10.59 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,680 | $15.23 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $33,960 a year, or $16.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $38,820 a year. The top 25% earn $36,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,980 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $29,280 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 130 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.