Food Preparation Worker salary in Kentucky
Food Preparation Workers in Kentucky earn a median of $26,850 a year ($12.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,830 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $35,320. Kentucky ranks 49th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 7.7 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,900 | $10.05 |
| 25th percentile | $22,790 | $10.96 |
| Median | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| 75th percentile | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Average (mean) | $28,760 | $13.83 |
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 | $2,237.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,118.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,032.69 |
| Weekly | $516.35 |
| Hourly | $12.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Kentucky
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,550 | $15.17 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,130 | $13.04 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,660 | $14.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| Bartender | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,100 | $13.03 |
| Dishwasher | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,330 | $12.66 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,070 | $23.11 |
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 35-2021. 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 Kentucky?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Kentucky is $26,850 a year, or $12.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Kentucky earn at least $37,830 a year. The top 25% earn $33,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,900 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,790 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Kentucky?
About 15,390 food preparation workers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.