Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Dayton, OH

In Dayton, OH, cooks in restaurants typically earn a median annual salary of $35,220, which translates to an hourly wage of approximately $16.93. This figure is slightly below the national median for the occupation, which stands at $36,830. When compared to the local area's median household income of $69,752, the earnings of cooks represent about 50% of a typical household’s annual income. With 10th and 25th percentile salaries at $26,910 and $30,350 respectively, it is evident that a significant portion of cooks earn less than the median, highlighting potential challenges in achieving financial stability when relying solely on this income.

Entry-level cooks in Dayton tend to start closer to or below the 10th percentile mark at around $26,910 annually, while those with experience may see their earnings rise above the 75th percentile, reaching up to $41,200. The disparity between entry-level and experienced workers is driven by factors such as tenure, skill level, specialization within culinary arts, and potential advancement opportunities within a restaurant setting. Experienced cooks often benefit from increased responsibilities or roles in more prestigious establishments, which contributes to higher compensation levels compared to their less seasoned counterparts.