Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Ohio
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Ohio earn a median of $36,720 a year ($17.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 23,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,010 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $37,450. Ohio ranks 30th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 4.2 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| 25th percentile | $33,090 | $15.91 |
| Median | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| 75th percentile | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Average (mean) | $37,160 | $17.87 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $3,060 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,530 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,412.31 |
| Weekly | $706.15 |
| Hourly | $17.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $38,100 | 4,020 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $37,180 | 4,310 |
| Akron, OH | $37,080 | 1,310 |
| Cleveland, OH | $36,930 | 4,080 |
| Toledo, OH | $36,760 | 1,280 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $36,680 | 1,510 |
| Mansfield, OH | $35,890 | 270 |
| Sandusky, OH | $35,880 | 270 |
| Lima, OH | $35,820 | 260 |
| Springfield, OH | $35,590 | 280 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $35,530 | 760 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $34,510 | 740 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $30,850 | 240 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $30,600 | 330 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,630 | 920 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
Related jobs in Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,540 | $17.09 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,870 | $12.92 |
| 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 35-2012. 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, institution and cafeteria make in Ohio?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Ohio is $36,720 a year, or $17.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Ohio?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Ohio earn at least $46,010 a year. The top 25% earn $39,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,530 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $33,090 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Ohio?
About 23,440 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.