Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Bowling Green, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bowling Green, KY

Median annual salary $43,170 -29.2% vs national
Median hourly $20.76
10th percentile $25,210
90th percentile $77,590
Employed locally 60
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Bowling Green, KY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,210
    25th
    $33,250
    50th (median)
    $43,170
    75th
    $61,860
    90th
    $77,590

    Bowling Green economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,437 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 69% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sandusky, OH $59,480
    Rocky Mount, NC $57,920
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $55,660
    Lexington-Fayette, KY $53,490
    Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $52,010
    East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $50,520

    Related occupations in Bowling Green, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,580
    Waiters and Waitresses$20,950
    Cooks, Fast Food$23,350
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,440
    Food Preparation Workers$24,080
    Cooks, Restaurant$30,180

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Bowling Green?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Bowling Green, KY is $20.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.94 or more per hour.

    Is Bowling Green above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Bowling Green, KY is 29.2% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Bowling Green?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $25,210 per year in Bowling Green, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,250.