salary$35,700 a year$17 an hour · median pay in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$28,920per year
Top pay (top 10%)$43,360per year
Jobs in the area2,960people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford Dayton?
Expensive. Rent of $1,140 a month takes 38.3% of the median restaurant cook salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Restaurant Cook pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a restaurant cook make in Dayton, OH?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH area is $35,700 a year ($17 an hour). Most earn between $28,920 and $43,360.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in Dayton?
Typical rent of $1,140 a month takes 38.3% of the median restaurant cook salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area.