Hospitality & Tourism Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Sommelier Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median sommelier salary in Cleveland, OH is $53,320 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$53,320
vs State Avg
$-2,480
vs National
$-8,680
Cost of Living
86%

Sommelier Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median sommelier salary of $53,320, which is $2,480 below the Ohio state average of $55,800. Compared to the national median of $62,000, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $53,320 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $62,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for sommeliers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for sommeliers in Cleveland spans from $27,520 at the 10th percentile to $107,500 at the 90th percentile — a $79,980 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,100, while senior sommeliers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $101,480. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Sommelier Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level sommelier earns around $30,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $101,480 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,100
$-4,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$55,900
$-9,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$101,480
$-16,520 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $27,520
25th Percentile $37,840
Median (50th) $53,320
75th Percentile $79,120
90th Percentile $107,500

Sommelier Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$58,900
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$55,800
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$52,080
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$50,840
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Sommelier in Cleveland

Education

Most sommelier positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Cleveland and the surrounding Ohio area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Wine KnowledgeTastingFood PairingInventory ManagementCustomer ServiceSommelier Certification

Job Outlook

Nationally, sommelier employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Cleveland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Sommelier Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open sommelier positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Sommelier Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Sommelier make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median sommelier salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $53,320 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $62,000. Salaries range from $27,520 (10th percentile) to $107,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Sommelier make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $53,320, a sommelier in Cleveland earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for sommelier pay? ▼
Cleveland's median sommelier salary of $53,320 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $55,800. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a sommelier salary of $53,320 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a sommelier in Cleveland? ▼
Most sommelier positions in Cleveland require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Wine Knowledge, Tasting, Food Pairing, Inventory Management. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.