SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Lima
Lima, OH · 9 metro areas compared
At $45,270, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Chefs and Head Cooks, 27.5% beneath the national figure of $62,470.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $45,270, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Chefs and Head Cooks, 27.5% beneath the national figure of $62,470. Pay ranges from under $36,400 at the tenth percentile to more than $74,990 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,040 to $63,400.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.51 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Sandusky records the highest median at $67,190. Of the 217 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 142nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,400 | −41.7% |
| 25th | $38,040 | −39.1% |
| Median (50th) | $45,270 | −27.5% |
| 75th | $63,400 | +1.5% |
| 90th | $74,990 | +20.0% |
| Mean | $52,320 | −16.2% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandusky | $67,190 | 60 | |
| 2 | Columbus | $59,830 | 750 | |
| 3 | Cleveland | $57,020 | 930 | |
| 4 | Cincinnati | $56,620 | 1,060 | |
| 5 | Akron | $55,060 | 220 | |
| 6 | Youngstown | $53,570 | 120 | |
| 7 | Toledo | $50,790 | 220 | |
| 8 | Canton | $49,730 | 110 | |
| 9 | Dayton | $47,580 | 210 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lima run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $45,270 goes as far as $48,782 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 21.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,270as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,782US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,270 a year, 27.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,400 to $74,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sandusky, at $67,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Lima, OH?
The median annual wage is $45,270, or $21.76 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Lima, OH is 27.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Lima, OH earns more than $74,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,400 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Sandusky, at $67,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in Lima, OH. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data