salary$37,420 a year$18 an hour · median pay in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$35,250per year
Top pay (top 10%)$46,870per year
Jobs in the area7,760people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford Columbia?
Expensive. Rent of $2,291 a month takes 73.5% of the median restaurant cook salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Restaurant Cook pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a restaurant cook make in Columbia, MD?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area is $37,420 a year ($18 an hour). Most earn between $35,250 and $46,870.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in Columbia?
Typical rent of $2,291 a month takes 73.5% of the median restaurant cook salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area.