Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Kentucky
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Kentucky earn a median of $27,130 a year ($13.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 41,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,420 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $31,200. Kentucky ranks 44th of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay. There are 21 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $26,890, close to the median.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,590 | $10.38 |
| 25th percentile | $22,800 | $10.96 |
| Median | $27,130 | $13.04 |
| 75th percentile | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| Average (mean) | $26,890 | $12.93 |
Half of fast food and counter workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,260.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,130.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,043.46 |
| Weekly | $521.73 |
| Hourly | $13.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $29,720 | 30,950 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $28,690 | 15,540 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $27,990 | 5,500 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $27,650 | 2,540 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $27,640 | 1,160 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $27,260 | 1,330 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,990 | 4,000 |
| Owensboro, KY | $26,750 | 1,080 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $23,500 | 2,590 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,660 | $14.26 |
| Bartender | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,550 | $15.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,100 | $13.03 |
| Dishwasher | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,330 | $12.66 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,840 | $15.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter workers make in Kentucky?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in Kentucky is $27,130 a year, or $13.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in Kentucky earn at least $34,420 a year. The top 25% earn $29,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,590 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $22,800 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Kentucky?
About 41,860 fast food and counter workers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.