Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Ohio
Chefs and Head Cooks in Ohio earn a median of $53,990 a year ($25.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,960 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $62,470. Ohio ranks 43rd of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 0.72 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $61,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Median | $53,990 | $25.96 |
| 75th percentile | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,960 | $43.25 |
| Average (mean) | $61,220 | $29.44 |
Half of chefs and head cooks 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 | $4,499.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,249.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,076.54 |
| Weekly | $1,038.27 |
| Hourly | $25.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sandusky, OH | $67,190 | 60 |
| Columbus, OH | $59,830 | 750 |
| Cleveland, OH | $57,020 | 930 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $56,620 | 1,060 |
| Akron, OH | $55,060 | 220 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $54,400 | 30 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $53,570 | 120 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $53,240 | 80 |
| Toledo, OH | $50,790 | 220 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $49,730 | 110 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $47,580 | 210 |
| Lima, OH | $45,270 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
Related jobs in Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,700 | $17.65 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Bartender | $30,880 | $14.84 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,550 | $13.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,440 | $14.63 |
| Dishwasher | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,400 | $14.14 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,870 | $12.92 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $27,540 | $13.24 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. 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 chefs and head cooks make in Ohio?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Ohio is $53,990 a year, or $25.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Ohio?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Ohio earn at least $89,960 a year. The top 25% earn $74,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,370 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $45,760 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Ohio?
About 4,000 chefs and head cooks are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.