How much does a food server make in Cincinnati?
$32,070a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area. That is $15.42 an hour or $2,673 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.42
- Vs. national median
- -9%
- Rank among cities
- 204 of 353
- Jobs in the area
- 3,490
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,820Median: $32,070Highest 10%: $38,190
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,820 | $13.38 | |
| 25th | $29,120 | $14.00 | |
| Median | $32,070 | $15.42 | |
| 75th | $36,610 | $17.60 | |
| 90th | $38,190 | $18.36 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for food servers.
| Mansfield, OH | $34,940 |
| Huntington, WV | $33,540 |
| Sandusky, OH | $32,710 |
| Columbus, OH | $32,250 |
| Akron, OH | $31,210 |
| Dayton, OH | $31,200 |
| Cleveland, OH | $30,350 |
| Lima, OH | $30,080 |
| Toledo, OH | $30,060 |
| Springfield, OH | $29,360 |
| Weirton, WV | $28,960 |
| Canton, OH | $28,790 |
| Youngstown, OH | $27,890 |
| Wheeling, WV | $26,890 |
Related jobs in Cincinnati
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $56,620 |
| 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 |
| Dishwasher | $30,740 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in Cincinnati?
The median hourly pay in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $15.42 ($32,070 a year).
Do food servers make more in Cincinnati than the national average?
No: $32,070 against $35,360 nationally, 9% less.
How does Cincinnati compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $30,440, so Cincinnati pays 5% more.
Where does Cincinnati rank for food server pay?
204 of 353 metro areas with data.
How much does a food server make starting out in Cincinnati?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,820 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,190 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.