Food Preparation Worker salary in Paducah, KY-IL
Food Preparation Workers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn a median of $27,210 a year ($13.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,260 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 9.5 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Paducah, KY-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,300 | $10.24 |
| 25th percentile | $23,310 | $11.21 |
| Median | $27,210 | $13.08 |
| 75th percentile | $32,650 | $15.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| Average (mean) | $28,490 | $13.70 |
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 | $2,267.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,133.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,046.54 |
| Weekly | $523.27 |
| Hourly | $13.08 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,410 | 27,100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,320 | 5,320 |
| Decatur, IL | $33,450 | 200 |
| Rockford, IL | $32,530 | 720 |
| Springfield, IL | $32,530 | 510 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $32,400 | 6,220 |
| Peoria, IL | $32,140 | 770 |
| Bloomington, IL | $32,030 | 580 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $31,850 | 660 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,200 | 620 |
| Kankakee, IL | $31,200 | 270 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $29,640 | 4,910 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $28,860 | 240 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $27,340 | 2,310 |
| 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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Paducah, KY-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,640 | $13.29 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,440 | $12.71 |
| Bartender | $26,350 | $12.67 |
| Dishwasher | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,030 | $13.00 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $44,720 | $21.50 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Paducah, KY-IL
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 Paducah, KY-IL?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $27,210 a year, or $13.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn at least $36,260 a year. The top 25% earn $32,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Paducah, KY-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,300 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $23,310 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Paducah, KY-IL?
About 480 food preparation workers are employed in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.