Food Preparation Worker salary in Bowling Green, KY
Food Preparation Workers in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn a median of $26,410 a year ($12.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,690 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $26,850. There are 8.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Bowling Green, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,310 | $10.24 |
| 25th percentile | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| Median | $26,410 | $12.70 |
| 75th percentile | $33,040 | $15.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| Average (mean) | $28,000 | $13.46 |
Half of food preparation 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 | $2,200.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,100.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,015.77 |
| Weekly | $507.88 |
| Hourly | $12.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,320 | 5,320 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $29,640 | 4,910 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $27,340 | 2,310 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $27,210 | 480 |
| Owensboro, KY | $27,130 | 460 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $27,030 | 790 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $24,960 | 850 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $23,600 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bowling Green, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,450 | $11.28 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $31,040 | $14.92 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,550 | $15.17 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $27,590 | $13.26 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,650 | $13.30 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,810 | $13.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,500 | $11.78 |
| Bartender | $26,800 | $12.88 |
| Dishwasher | $28,740 | $13.82 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,200 | $12.59 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $54,080 | $26.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Bowling Green, KY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Bowling Green, KY?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $26,410 a year, or $12.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Bowling Green, KY?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn at least $36,690 a year. The top 25% earn $33,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Bowling Green, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,310 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,900 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Bowling Green, KY?
About 660 food preparation workers are employed in the Bowling Green, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.