Cooks, Fast Food pay in Columbus
In Columbus (OH), the median pay for cooks, fast food is $12.16 an hour ($25,290 a year). About 2,210 people work in this job there.
That is 18% lower than the U.S. median ($30,890). It is 6% lower than the Ohio median ($26,870).
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Columbus (OH)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $11.09 | $23,070 |
| 25% of workers | $11.22 | $23,330 |
| Half of workers (median) | $12.16 | $25,290 |
| 75% of workers | $16.12 | $33,540 |
| 90% of workers | $17.34 | $36,060 |
Cooks, Fast Food pay in Ohio metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | $29,120 | 0 |
| Cincinnati | $28,930 | 4,930 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $26,950 | 580 |
| Mansfield | $26,360 | 180 |
| Canton-Massillon | $26,300 | 0 |
| Akron | $26,270 | 960 |
| Lima | $26,210 | 140 |
| Springfield | $25,980 | 180 |
| Columbus (this page) | $25,290 | 2,210 |
| Toledo | $22,560 | 850 |
Ohio unemployment rate: 3.3% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, fast food
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.6% over ten years, little or no change · about 86,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Columbus (OH)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,670 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,590 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,100 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $36,930 |
| Bakers | $36,430 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,200 |
Other job titles for this job
Open cooks, fast food jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring cooks, fast food? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.