Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Dayton, OH

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

Median annual salary $36,860 +1.1% vs national
Median hourly $17.72
10th percentile $29,400
90th percentile $45,210
Employed locally 1,580
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
in
Dayton, OH
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,400
    25th
    $31,140
    50th (median)
    $36,860
    75th
    $39,460
    90th
    $45,210

    Dayton economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,752 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 53% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 47% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Columbus, OH $37,520
    Cleveland, OH $36,620
    Toledo, OH $36,460
    Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $36,390
    Ohio $36,250
    Akron, OH $36,200

    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
    Dishwashers $28,870

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Dayton?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Dayton, OH is $17.72, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.78 or more per hour.

    Is Dayton above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Dayton, OH is 1.1% above the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Dayton?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $29,400 per year in Dayton, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,140.