How much does a chef and head cook make in Cincinnati?
$56,620a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area. That is $27.22 an hour or $4,718 a month.
- Hourly
- $27.22
- Vs. national median
- -9%
- Rank among cities
- 214 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 1,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,240Median: $56,620Highest 10%: $83,610
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,240 | $18.38 | |
| 25th | $46,300 | $22.26 | |
| Median | $56,620 | $27.22 | |
| 75th | $74,130 | $35.64 | |
| 90th | $83,610 | $40.20 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Sandusky, OH | $67,190 |
| Columbus, OH | $59,830 |
| Cleveland, OH | $57,020 |
| Akron, OH | $55,060 |
| Youngstown, OH | $53,570 |
| Huntington, WV | $53,240 |
| Toledo, OH | $50,790 |
| Canton, OH | $49,730 |
| Dayton, OH | $47,580 |
Related jobs in Cincinnati
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,370 |
| Cook | $37,180 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $36,530 |
| Cook | $36,030 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,320 |
| Bartender | $34,240 |
| Cook | $32,180 |
| Food Server | $32,070 |
| Dishwasher | $30,740 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Cincinnati?
The median hourly pay in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $27.22 ($56,620 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Cincinnati than the national average?
No: $56,620 against $62,470 nationally, 9% less.
How does Cincinnati compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $53,990, so Cincinnati pays 5% more.
Where does Cincinnati rank for chef and head cook pay?
214 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Cincinnati?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $83,610 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.