How does a Chef's salary in Augusta compare to the rest of Georgia?

Augusta's cost of living index is 88 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted downward accordingly. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $51,850 earns $350 less than the median household income in Augusta ($52,200).

Chef Salary in Augusta, GA — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Augusta's cost of living (index: 88). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Chef Salary in Augusta — Key Numbers

$51,850

Median Salary

$37,708

25th Percentile

$70,910

75th Percentile

$93,034

90th Percentile

National median (Chef)$58,920

vs. National median-12.0%

Augusta median household income$52,200

vs. City household income-0.7%

Cost of Living in Augusta

Cost of Living Index

88(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$850/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio19.7%

Annual rent cost$10,200

Median Home Price$200,000

Home Price / Salary3.9×

20% Down Payment$40,000

Years to save (20% rate)3.9 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Augusta

4.3%

Unemployment Rate

620,000

Metro Population

23 min

Avg Commute

35.4

Median Age

Augusta has a metro population of 620,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.3% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Augusta

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Cost of Living — Augusta

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Chef Salary in Georgia

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Augusta

Physician$201,784 Chief Executive Officer$184,800 Dentist$154,449 IT Manager$149,169 Marketing Manager$138,706 Lawyer$128,269

Chef Salary — Other Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA$66,580 Savannah, GA$58,920 Columbus, GA$50,082

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chef make in Augusta, GA?

The estimated median salary for a Chef in Augusta is $51,850 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Augusta's cost of living index (88). The typical salary range runs from $37,708 (25th percentile) to $70,910 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $93,034.

Is Augusta affordable for a Chef?

On a $51,850 annual salary, a Chef in Augusta would spend approximately 19.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($850/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Augusta relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $200,000 is 3.9× the annual salary.

How does a Chef's salary compare to Augusta's overall income?

Augusta's median household income is $52,200. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $51,850 earns 0.7% less than the typical Augusta household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Augusta has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.

Explore More Salary Data

Chef — National Chef in Georgia All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.