Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Dayton, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH

Median annual salary $55,850 -8.4% vs national
Median hourly $26.85
10th percentile $34,850
90th percentile $88,210
Employed locally 210
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Dayton, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,850
    25th
    $43,140
    50th (median)
    $55,850
    75th
    $65,020
    90th
    $88,210

    Dayton economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,752 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 80% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 20% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Canton-Massillon, OH $60,310
    Columbus, OH $59,820
    Sandusky, OH $59,480
    Cleveland, OH $57,190
    Ohio $56,700
    Toledo, OH $56,360

    Related occupations in Dayton, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,140
    Waiters and Waitresses $36,400
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,490
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,220
    Bartenders $29,600
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Dayton?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Dayton, OH is $26.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.05 or more per hour.

    Is Dayton above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Dayton, OH is 8.4% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Dayton?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $34,850 per year in Dayton, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,140.