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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Kentucky
Ranked #45 of 51 · KY
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of cooks, restaurants in Kentucky earn between $24,750 and $43,750. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean cooks, restaurant salary in Kentucky is $33,700, about 13% below the U.S. average ($38,730). That works out to roughly $16/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $35,970 | $34,740 | 2,300 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $35,950 | $35,360 | 5,390 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $31,200 | $32,510 | 490 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $31,040 | $32,510 | 570 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $30,120 | $31,580 | 370 |
| Owensboro, KY | $30,010 | $32,240 | 440 |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $29,570 | $31,310 | 1,010 |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $29,460 | $31,000 | 900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cooks, restaurant make in Kentucky?
The median cooks, restaurant salary in Kentucky is $34,640 per year (mean $33,700), and about 80% earn between $24,750 and $43,750.
How much do cooks, restaurant make per hour in Kentucky?
Roughly $16 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $33,700 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is Kentucky a high-paying state for cooks, restaurant?
Kentucky ranks #45 of 51 states for cooks, restaurant pay. Its mean salary of $33,700 is about 13% below the U.S. average of $38,730.
Which metro areas in Kentucky pay cooks, restaurant the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in Kentucky for cooks, restaurant are Lexington-Fayette, KY ($35,970), Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN ($35,950), Paducah, KY-IL ($31,200), by median annual wage.