Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $29,720 a year ($14.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 30,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,240 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 5% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $28,430. There are 28 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,590 | $11.34 |
| 25th percentile | $28,290 | $13.60 |
| Median | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| 75th percentile | $33,340 | $16.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| Average (mean) | $30,050 | $14.45 |
Half of fast food and counter workers 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 | $2,476.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,238.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,143.08 |
| Weekly | $571.54 |
| Hourly | $14.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $34,630 | 97,280 |
| Kokomo, IN | $29,130 | 1,540 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $29,040 | 28,400 |
| Cleveland, OH | $28,750 | 28,010 |
| Akron, OH | $28,690 | 9,480 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $28,690 | 15,540 |
| Columbus, OH | $28,670 | 31,590 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $28,360 | 6,900 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $28,300 | 2,710 |
| Columbus, IN | $28,290 | 1,440 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,250 | 1,520 |
| Bloomington, IN | $28,230 | 2,390 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $28,230 | 4,260 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $28,140 | 4,240 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $27,990 | 5,500 |
| Evansville, IN | $27,930 | 4,470 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $27,760 | 6,020 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $27,680 | 11,860 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $27,650 | 2,540 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $27,640 | 1,160 |
| Sandusky, OH | $27,590 | 2,070 |
| Toledo, OH | $27,570 | 9,280 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,560 | 2,120 |
| Springfield, OH | $27,490 | 1,990 |
| Lima, OH | $27,320 | 1,830 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $27,260 | 1,330 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $27,020 | 2,700 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,990 | 4,000 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $26,950 | 6,460 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $26,820 | 740 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
See Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,530 | $17.56 |
| Bartender | $34,240 | $16.46 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,070 | $15.42 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| 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 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| 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 35-3023. 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 fast food and counter workers make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $29,720 a year, or $14.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $35,240 a year. The top 25% earn $33,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,590 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $28,290 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 30,950 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.