Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Cleveland, OH

In Cleveland, OH, cooks working in restaurants typically earn a median annual salary of $36,730, which translates to an hourly wage of $17.66. This figure is slightly below the national median annual salary for restaurant cooks at $36,830. When compared to the local household income, the typical earnings of these workers represent approximately 53.6% of Cleveland's area median household income, which stands at $68,507. Given the relatively low local unemployment rate of 3.80%, this suggests that while cooks are earning a modest wage in comparison to overall household incomes, there is still stable demand for their roles within the city.

For entry-level restaurant cooks in Cleveland, earnings can start as low as $26,980 annually, representing the 10th percentile of wages. As they gain experience and skills, these workers may see their income rise significantly, with those at the 75th percentile earning around $38,560 a year. The highest earners, at the 90th percentile, make approximately $44,070 annually. This variance in earnings is largely driven by factors such as years of experience, skill specialization within particular cuisines or cooking techniques, and the ability to secure positions in higher-end establishments that can afford to pay more competitive wages. As cooks progress from entry-level to seasoned professionals, they typically gain opportunities for increased responsibility, which often correlates with higher compensation.