Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in West Kentucky

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $31,590 -48.2% vs national
Median hourly $15.19
10th percentile $23,950
90th percentile $63,420
Employed locally 70
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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West Kentucky
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,950
    25th
    $23,950
    50th (median)
    $31,590
    75th
    $47,860
    90th
    $63,420

    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

    Related occupations in West Kentucky

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,880
    Waiters and Waitresses$21,400
    Cooks, Fast Food$22,740
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$30,530
    Food Preparation Workers$22,010
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$28,510

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in West Kentucky is $15.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.72 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in West Kentucky is 48.2% 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 West Kentucky?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $23,950 per year in West Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,950.