Cooks, Fast Food salary in Ohio
Cooks, Fast Food in Ohio earn a median of $26,870 a year ($12.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,570 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $30,890. Ohio ranks 46th of 51 states for cooks, fast food pay. There are 2.2 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $27,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,500 | $10.82 |
| 25th percentile | $23,070 | $11.09 |
| Median | $26,870 | $12.92 |
| 75th percentile | $29,710 | $14.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Average (mean) | $27,860 | $13.40 |
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 | $2,239.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,119.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,033.46 |
| Weekly | $516.73 |
| Hourly | $12.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in cities in Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $29,120 | n/a |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| Cooks, All Other | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,700 | $17.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Bartender | $30,880 | $14.84 |
| 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 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $53,990 | $25.96 |
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 35-2011. 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 Ohio?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in Ohio is $26,870 a year, or $12.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Ohio?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in Ohio earn at least $35,570 a year. The top 25% earn $29,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,500 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $23,070 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Ohio?
About 12,310 cooks, fast food are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.