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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Columbus, OH

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Columbus, OH have a median annual salary of $38,100, with 4,020 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $30,870 at the 10th percentile to $47,410 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$38,100

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$18.32

Employment

4,020

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$30,870
10th
$36,280
25th
$38,100
Median
$45,370
75th
$47,410
90th

Local compared with national

Columbus, OH

$38,100

Median annual · 2025

United States

$37,450

Median annual · 2025

The Columbus, OH median is 1.7% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $650).

Top skills

  1. 1.SpeakingImportance 3.1
  2. 2.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  3. 3.Service OrientationImportance 3.1
  4. 4.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.1
  6. 6.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  7. 7.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  9. 9.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Management of Personnel ResourcesImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • GNOME Gnutrition
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Meals Plus
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • PCS Revenue Control Systems FASTRAK School Meal Software

Common tasks

  • Monitor and record food temperatures to ensure food safety.
  • Cook foodstuffs according to menus, special dietary or nutritional restrictions, or numbers of portions to be served.
  • Rotate and store food supplies.
  • Wash pots, pans, dishes, utensils, or other cooking equipment.
  • Apportion and serve food to facility residents, employees, or patrons.
  • Clean and inspect galley equipment, kitchen appliances, and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.
  • Clean, cut, and cook meat, fish, or poultry.
  • Direct activities of one or more workers who assist in preparing and serving meals.
  • Train new employees.
  • Take inventory of supplies and equipment.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other locations

Other occupations in Columbus, OH