Cooks, Fast Food salary in Cleveland, OH
Cooks, Fast Food in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $29,120 a year ($14.00 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $23,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,880 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 8% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $26,870. The average (mean) salary is $29,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,490 | $11.29 |
| 25th percentile | $26,760 | $12.86 |
| Median | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| 75th percentile | $31,300 | $15.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Average (mean) | $29,390 | $14.13 |
Half of cooks, fast food 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 | $2,426.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,213.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,120 |
| Weekly | $560 |
| Hourly | $14.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $28,930 | 4,930 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $26,950 | 580 |
| Mansfield, OH | $26,360 | 180 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $26,300 | n/a |
| Akron, OH | $26,270 | 960 |
| Lima, OH | $26,210 | 140 |
| Springfield, OH | $25,980 | 180 |
| Columbus, OH | $25,290 | 2,210 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $23,710 | 450 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $23,110 | 810 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $22,610 | 3,070 |
| Toledo, OH | $22,560 | 850 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,750 | $13.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Bartender | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,060 | $13.01 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| Dishwasher | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,400 | $14.13 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $27,700 | $13.32 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. 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, fast food make in Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $29,120 a year, or $14.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $35,880 a year. The top 25% earn $31,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,490 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $26,760 or less.