SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Lima, OH

Cooks in Lima, Ohio, earn an average annual salary of $31,850, which is notably below the national average of $37,700. This disparity in compensation is often influenced by local economic factors, the specific demand for culinary professionals within the Lima area, and the overall cost of doing business for restaurants in the region.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $31,850 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 36.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $37,400.
  • Outlook: The job market for Cooks in Lima, OH, appears stable, with a total local workforce of 430 individuals in this role. The Location Quotient of 0.92 suggests that the concentration of these jobs is very close to the national average, indicating a consistent, albeit not exceptionally high, demand for culinary talent within the community.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$31,850

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Lima, OH earns-15.5%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$15.3

Weekly

$613

Monthly

$2,654

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Lima, OH

Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant in Lima, OH, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while experienced chefs or specialized cooks can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this career trajectory, rewarding skill, responsibility, and tenure.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$23,100$11.1
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$23,888$11.5
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$31,410$15.1
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$39,813$19.1
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$37,400$18

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$31,850

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$31,850

Adjusted for COL (100)

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Lima, OH, is precisely at the national average. This means the nominal salary of $31,850 for Cooks, Restaurant holds purchasing power equivalent to the national average. While not a high-paying market, the stable cost of living ensures that the earned income stretches as far as it would in a typical U.S. city.

Job Market Context

430

Total Jobs

8.669

Per 1K Jobs

0.92

Location Quotient

Below Average

Lima, OH has 0.92x the national average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

The Location Quotient of 0.92 for Cooks, Restaurant in Lima, OH, indicates that the job market is neither significantly oversupplied nor undersupplied compared to the national landscape. This suggests a balanced environment where job seekers can find opportunities, and employers can recruit staff without facing extreme competition or scarcity.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Springfield, OH Cooks, Restaurant Salary$32,280↑ 1%58 mi
Fort Wayne, IN Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,060↑ 4%59 mi
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH Cooks, Restaurant Salary$34,140↑ 7%67 mi
Toledo, OH Cooks, Restaurant Salary$32,440↑ 2%69 mi
North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) Cooks, Restaurant Salary$30,380↓ 5%75 mi

Comparing salaries near Lima, OH

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Lima, OH?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Lima, OH is $31,850. This typically ranges from $23,100 for entry-level positions to $37,400 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Lima, OH is 15.5% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Lima, OH a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not particularly lucrative.The average salary of $31,850 is below the national average, and while the cost of living is average, the earning potential is not exceptionally high.

Is Lima, OH a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Lima, OH is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Lima, OH?

Some top paying nearby cities include Springfield, OH ($32,280) and Fort Wayne, IN.

How does Lima, OH compare to the national average for Cook salaries?

Cooks in Lima, OH, earn approximately $5,850 less annually than the national average, reflecting localized economic conditions and demand.

What is the job concentration for Cooks in Lima, OH?

The Location Quotient of 0.92 means that the proportion of Cook jobs in Lima, OH, is slightly lower than the national average, indicating a stable but not overly concentrated job market.

How does the cost of living affect the salary for Cooks in Lima, OH?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Lima, OH, matches the national average, meaning the $31,850 salary has average purchasing power.

What is the total number of Cooks employed in Lima, OH?

There are approximately 430 individuals employed as Cooks in the Lima, Ohio area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 430 employees in the Lima, OH area with a job density of 8.669 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Lima, OH