Cooks, Fast Food pay range in Cleveland
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,490 a year or less, while the top 10% make $35,880 or more. The middle half of cooks, fast food in Cleveland earn between $26,760 and $31,300.
- $23K10th
- $27K25th
- $29KMedian
- $31K75th
- $36K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $29,390 | $2,449 | $14.13 |
| Median | $29,120 | $2,427 | $14.00 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $26,760 | $2,230 | $12.87 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $31,300 | $2,608 | $15.05 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cooks, Fast Food pay in Cleveland vs. Ohio and the U.S.
Cooks, fast food in Cleveland earn 5% more than the Ohio average ($27,860) and 9% less than the U.S. average ($32,390). At the median the gap is -6% against the U.S. median of $30,890.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | $29,390 | $29,120 | $23,490 | $35,880 | n/a |
| Ohio | $27,860 | $26,870 | $22,500 | $35,570 | 12,310 |
| United States | $32,390 | $30,890 | $22,580 | $42,910 | 641,070 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Cooks, Fast Food salary after taxes in Cleveland
On the average salary of $29,390, a single filer in Cleveland takes home about $24,701 a year, or $2,058 a month and $950 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Cleveland's local income tax (2.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
Is Cleveland a good place for cooks, fast food? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Cleveland area are 6% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.9), so the average $29,390 buys what about $31,292 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Cleveland ($50,140). A typical home costs $252,210, or 8.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other Ohio cities
Cleveland ranks 3rd of 10 Ohio metro areas for this job; Dayton pays the most ($29,840).
- Dayton$29,840
- Cincinnati$29,430
- Cleveland$29,390
- Columbus$28,260
- Canton$26,780
- Springfield$26,640
- Lima$26,600
- Akron$26,590
- Mansfield$25,820
- Toledo$25,010
Highest-paying cities for cooks, fast food
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($46,590).
- San Francisco, CA$46,590
- San Jose, CA$46,530
- Vallejo, CA$44,360
- Napa, CA$43,910
- Seattle, WA$43,770
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Cooks, Fast Food salary in Cleveland: questions
How much do cooks, fast food make an hour in Cleveland?
$14.13 an hour on average, and $14.00 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level cooks, fast food salary in Cleveland?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,490 a year and the 25th percentile is $26,760, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the cooks, fast food take-home pay in Cleveland?
About $24,701 a year ($2,058 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $29,390. Includes Cleveland's local income tax (2.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
Do cooks, fast food earn more in Cleveland than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% less than the U.S. average for this job ($32,390).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2011; area Cleveland, OH (17410). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Cleveland's local income tax (2.5%); the city income tax is that of the principal city (suburbs have their own rates) and school district income taxes are not included.
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