Food Preparation Worker salary in Owensboro, KY
Food Preparation Workers in the Owensboro, KY metro area earn a median of $27,130 a year ($13.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,280 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $26,850. There are 9.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Owensboro, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $23,040 | $11.08 |
| Median | $27,130 | $13.04 |
| 75th percentile | $32,920 | $15.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Average (mean) | $28,220 | $13.57 |
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 | $2,260.83 |
| 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.
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 |
| 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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Owensboro, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,750 | $12.86 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| Bartender | $26,810 | $12.89 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,050 | $11.56 |
| Dishwasher | $28,450 | $13.68 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,350 | $11.23 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,600 | $14.23 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $47,620 | $22.90 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Owensboro, 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 Owensboro, KY?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Owensboro, KY metro area is $27,130 a year, or $13.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Owensboro, KY?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Owensboro, KY metro area earn at least $36,280 a year. The top 25% earn $32,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Owensboro, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,840 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $23,040 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Owensboro, KY?
About 460 food preparation workers are employed in the Owensboro, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.