Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area earn a median of $47,580 a year ($22.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,150 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 12% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $53,990. There are 0.56 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $54,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| 25th percentile | $41,210 | $19.81 |
| Median | $47,580 | $22.88 |
| 75th percentile | $64,510 | $31.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Average (mean) | $54,670 | $26.28 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,965 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,982.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,830 |
| Weekly | $915 |
| Hourly | $22.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sandusky, OH | $67,190 | 60 |
| Columbus, OH | $59,830 | 750 |
| Cleveland, OH | $57,020 | 930 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $56,620 | 1,060 |
| Akron, OH | $55,060 | 220 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $54,400 | 30 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $53,570 | 120 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $53,240 | 80 |
| Toledo, OH | $50,790 | 220 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $49,730 | 110 |
| Lima, OH | $45,270 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,680 | $13.31 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| Bartender | $29,830 | $14.34 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $33,110 | $15.92 |
| Dishwasher | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,990 | $12.97 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,020 | $14.43 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,950 | $12.96 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $28,030 | $13.47 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,200 | $13.56 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area is $47,580 a year, or $22.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area earn at least $79,150 a year. The top 25% earn $64,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,360 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $41,210 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH?
About 210 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.