SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — West Northwestern Ohio
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in West Northwestern Ohio, OH is $26,440 a year, trailing the national median of $30,890 by 14.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in West Northwestern Ohio, OH is $26,440 a year, trailing the national median of $30,890 by 14.4%. Half of workers earn between $22,900 and $27,770. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,620 and the ninetieth at $28,500.
Cleveland leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $29,120. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 406th of 409 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,620 | −26.8% |
| 25th | $22,900 | −25.9% |
| Median (50th) | $26,440 | −14.4% |
| 75th | $27,770 | −10.1% |
| 90th | $28,500 | −7.7% |
| Mean | $25,620 | −17.1% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland | $29,120 | — | |
| 2 | Cincinnati | $28,930 | 4,930 | |
| 3 | Dayton | $26,950 | 580 | |
| 4 | Mansfield | $26,360 | 180 | |
| 5 | Canton | $26,300 | — | |
| 6 | Akron | $26,270 | 960 | |
| 7 | Lima | $26,210 | 140 | |
| 8 | Springfield | $25,980 | 180 | |
| 9 | Columbus | $25,290 | 2,210 | |
| 10 | Toledo | $22,560 | 850 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Northwestern Ohio run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $26,440 goes as far as $28,491 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,491US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,440 a year, 14.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,620 to $28,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cleveland, at $29,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in West Northwestern Ohio, OH?
The median annual wage is $26,440, or $12.71 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 $30,890, so pay in West Northwestern Ohio, OH is 14.4% 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 West Northwestern Ohio, OH earns more than $28,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,620 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 Cleveland, at $29,120 per year.
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.
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