Food Service Manager salary in Kentucky
Food Service Managers in Kentucky earn a median of $70,410 a year ($33.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,780 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $69,390. Kentucky ranks 24th of 51 states for food service managers pay. There are 0.84 food service managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $71,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food service managers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,070 | $19.74 |
| 25th percentile | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Median | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| 75th percentile | $81,440 | $39.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,780 | $49.41 |
| Average (mean) | $71,620 | $34.43 |
Half of food service managers 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 | $5,867.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,933.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,708.08 |
| Weekly | $1,354.04 |
| Hourly | $33.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Service Manager salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $73,560 | 250 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $72,500 | 710 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $71,490 | 50 |
| Owensboro, KY | $70,200 | 40 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $67,140 | 50 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $66,380 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,320 | 1,760 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $60,630 | 120 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $59,090 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for food service managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $95,190 |
| Massachusetts | $92,240 |
| Hawaii | $87,800 |
| New York | $84,200 |
| Rhode Island | $82,850 |
| Alaska | $82,030 |
| District of Columbia | $81,680 |
| Colorado | $79,870 |
| Minnesota | $79,820 |
| California | $78,260 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $103,450 | $49.74 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $99,920 | — |
| Construction Manager | $97,020 | $46.64 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $52,790 | $25.38 |
| Managers, All Other | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $76,960 | $37.00 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $147,680 | $71.00 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $114,310 | $54.96 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| Funeral Home Manager | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $126,440 | $60.79 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | $98,570 | $47.39 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9051. 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 service manager make in Kentucky?
The median salary for food service managers in Kentucky is $70,410 a year, or $33.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food service managers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of food service managers in Kentucky earn at least $102,780 a year. The top 25% earn $81,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for food service managers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,070 a year, and a quarter of food service managers earn $58,890 or less.
How many food service managers work in Kentucky?
About 1,680 food service managers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.