Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southern Ohio

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $28,630 -22.3% vs national
Median hourly $13.76
10th percentile $22,770
90th percentile $35,930
Employed locally 1,640
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,770
    25th
    $24,270
    50th (median)
    $28,630
    75th
    $34,520
    90th
    $35,930

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in Southern Ohio

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,180
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,390
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,110
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,390
    Bartenders $25,890
    Food Preparation Workers $27,900

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Southern Ohio?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southern Ohio is $13.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.96 or more per hour.

    Is Southern Ohio above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Southern Ohio is 22.3% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Southern Ohio?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $22,770 per year in Southern Ohio. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,270.