Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Ohio
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,370
- 25th Percentile — Junior$45,760
- 50th Percentile — Median$53,990
- 75th Percentile — Senior$74,130
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$89,960
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Ohio earn more than $53,990. The top 10% make $89,960 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,370.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Ohio: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Ohio ranks 37th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $61,220 per year (8.2% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 4,000 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Ohio — 2.0% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.56: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Ohio than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,370; the top 10% earn over $89,960.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.43 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Ohio, Waiters and Waitresses pays the most ($42,190).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Ohio
Key factors affecting compensation
Ohio's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $61,220 on average, placing the state 37th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Ohio salary of $61,220 is roughly equivalent to $69,568 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($62,460), Florida ($61,720), Montana ($61,580) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Ohio
Related career salary benchmarks
- Waiters and Waitresses $42,190/yr Ohio 31.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $41,680/yr Ohio 31.9% vs this role
- Bartenders $39,420/yr Ohio 35.6% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $37,160/yr Ohio 39.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $35,280/yr Ohio 42.4% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $31,340/yr Ohio 48.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,900/yr Ohio 52.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,860/yr Ohio 54.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Ohio?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Ohio is $61,220 per year (median $53,990), which is 8.2% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Ohio rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Ohio ranks 37th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Ohio?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Ohio earn about $38,370 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,760.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Ohio?
About $29.43 per hour, based on the $61,220 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Ohio?
BLS counts 4,000 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Ohio (OEWS May 2025).
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