Cooks, Fast Food salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Cooks, Fast Food in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $28,930 a year ($13.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,130 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 8% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $26,870. There are 4.5 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,860 | $10.99 |
| 25th percentile | $26,520 | $12.75 |
| Median | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| 75th percentile | $30,540 | $14.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Average (mean) | $29,430 | $14.15 |
Half of cooks, fast food 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 | $2,410.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,205.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,112.69 |
| Weekly | $556.35 |
| Hourly | $13.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,360 | 10,460 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,500 | 2,260 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $29,540 | 270 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $29,540 | 560 |
| Bloomington, IN | $29,290 | 190 |
| Cleveland, OH | $29,120 | n/a |
| Terre Haute, IN | $27,800 | 180 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $26,990 | 5,060 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $26,950 | 580 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $26,840 | 3,040 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,420 | 910 |
| Mansfield, OH | $26,360 | 180 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $26,300 | n/a |
| Akron, OH | $26,270 | 960 |
| Lima, OH | $26,210 | 140 |
| Springfield, OH | $25,980 | 180 |
| Columbus, OH | $25,290 | 2,210 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $23,870 | 660 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $23,710 | 450 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $23,450 | 820 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $23,110 | 810 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $22,610 | 3,070 |
| Toledo, OH | $22,560 | 850 |
| Owensboro, KY | $22,260 | 620 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,530 | $17.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Bartender | $34,240 | $16.46 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,070 | $15.42 |
| Dishwasher | $30,740 | $14.78 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,890 | $14.37 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $28,090 | $13.50 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. 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 cooks, fast food make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $28,930 a year, or $13.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $37,130 a year. The top 25% earn $30,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,860 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $26,520 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 4,930 cooks, fast food are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.