Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Owensboro, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Owensboro, KY

Median annual salary $33,030 -45.8% vs national
Median hourly $15.88
10th percentile $25,040
90th percentile $66,790
Employed locally 30
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Owensboro, KY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,040
    25th
    $31,950
    50th (median)
    $33,030
    75th
    $49,950
    90th
    $66,790

    Owensboro economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,656 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 50% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 50% 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 Owensboro, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,370
    Waiters and Waitresses$22,590
    Cooks, Fast Food$22,750
    Food Preparation Workers$23,930
    Cooks, Restaurant$30,160
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,130

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Owensboro, KY is $15.88, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.87 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Owensboro, KY is 45.8% 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 Owensboro?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $25,040 per year in Owensboro, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,950.