Cooks, Fast Food Salary in South Central Kentucky

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

Median annual salary $22,230 -26.3% vs national
Median hourly $10.69
10th percentile $18,730
90th percentile $28,450
Employed locally 2,020
National median $30,160

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Cooks, Fast Food
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South Central Kentucky
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,730
    25th
    $20,660
    50th (median)
    $22,230
    75th
    $25,950
    90th
    $28,450

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Fast Food

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $41,800
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $40,580
    Hawaii $40,300
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $39,260
    Napa, CA $39,210

    Related occupations in South Central Kentucky

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $22,950
    Waiters and Waitresses $21,400
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $28,990
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $28,270
    Food Preparation Workers $21,770
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Fast Food make per hour in South Central Kentucky?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Fast Food in South Central Kentucky is $10.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $13.44 or more per hour.

    Is South Central Kentucky above or below average for Cooks, Fast Food salaries?

    The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in South Central Kentucky is 26.3% below the national median of $30,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Fast Food in South Central Kentucky?

    Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food (10th percentile) earn around $18,730 per year in South Central Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,660.