Cooks, Restaurant pay in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati (OH), the median pay for cooks, restaurant is $17.32 an hour ($36,030 a year). About 10,810 people work in this job there.
That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($37,390). It is about the same as the Ohio median ($35,540).
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Cincinnati (OH)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.10 | $27,250 |
| 25% of workers | $14.04 | $29,200 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.32 | $36,030 |
| 75% of workers | $18.22 | $37,890 |
| 90% of workers | $21.58 | $44,880 |
Cooks, Restaurant pay in Ohio metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | $37,060 | 8,190 |
| Columbus | $36,590 | 8,600 |
| Akron | $36,030 | 2,820 |
| Cincinnati (this page) | $36,030 | 10,810 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $35,700 | 2,960 |
| Canton-Massillon | $35,600 | 1,570 |
| Toledo | $35,560 | 2,920 |
| Sandusky | $35,250 | 910 |
| Springfield | $34,490 | 320 |
| Lima | $34,200 | 380 |
| Youngstown-Warren | $32,150 | 1,600 |
| Mansfield | $31,300 | 480 |
Ohio unemployment rate: 3.3% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, restaurant
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +12.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 218,600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Cincinnati (OH)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Food Preparation Workers | $34,320 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,930 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,180 |
| Food Batchmakers | $47,470 |
| Bakers | $35,970 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $56,620 |
Other job titles for this job
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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.