Food Preparation Worker salary in Elizabethtown, KY
Food Preparation Workers in the Elizabethtown, KY metro area earn a median of $23,600 a year ($11.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,760 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 12% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $26,850. There are 9.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $26,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Elizabethtown, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,170 | $10.18 |
| 25th percentile | $22,700 | $10.91 |
| Median | $23,600 | $11.35 |
| 75th percentile | $28,890 | $13.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Average (mean) | $26,650 | $12.81 |
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 | $1,966.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $983.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $907.69 |
| Weekly | $453.85 |
| Hourly | $11.35 |
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 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $26,410 | 660 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $24,960 | 850 |
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 Elizabethtown, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,870 | $11.48 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,260 | $13.11 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $30,270 | $14.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $25,370 | $12.20 |
| Bartender | $26,620 | $12.80 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $25,720 | $12.36 |
| Dishwasher | $27,870 | $13.40 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown, KY?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Elizabethtown, KY metro area is $23,600 a year, or $11.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Elizabethtown, KY?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Elizabethtown, KY metro area earn at least $35,760 a year. The top 25% earn $28,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Elizabethtown, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,170 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,700 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Elizabethtown, KY?
About 490 food preparation workers are employed in the Elizabethtown, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.