Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Ohio
Cooks, Fast Foods in Ohio make a median of $26,520 a year, or about $12.75 an hour. The range runs from $22K at the entry level to $34K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Ohio. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $27K get you in Ohio?
About cooks, fast foods
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Ohio
Entry-level cooks, fast foods (10th percentile) start around $22K. Mid-career wages sit at $27K. Top earners bring in $34K or more, a $12K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Fast Food salary by metro in Ohio
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $29K | +11% | N/A |
| Cincinnati | $29K | +9% | 4,110 |
| Sandusky | $27K | +2% | 190 |
| Cleveland | $27K | +1% | 1,340 |
| Lima | $26K | -1% | 120 |
| Canton-Massillon | $26K | -1% | 620 |
| Mansfield | $26K | -2% | 170 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $26K | -2% | 900 |
| Akron | $24K | -8% | 1,030 |
| Springfield | $24K | -11% | 150 |
| Toledo | $22K | -18% | 1,300 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
Compare to other states
Track cooks, fast food salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Ohio numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, fast foods make in Ohio?
The median is $26,520 a year, that works out to about $13 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $21,740, and experienced cooks, fast foods can clear $34,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $27K enough to live in Ohio?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $1,944/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,188/month, which eats 61.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cooks, fast food salary go in Ohio?
Ohio has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cooks, fast food salary is worth about $28,999 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, fast foods get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.