Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in West Kentucky

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

Median annual salary $28,510 -21.8% vs national
Median hourly $13.71
10th percentile $23,330
90th percentile $35,080
Employed locally 1,010
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how West Kentucky stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
in
West Kentucky
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,330
    25th
    $25,390
    50th (median)
    $28,510
    75th
    $31,790
    90th
    $35,080

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    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, Restaurant $28,080

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in West Kentucky?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in West Kentucky is $13.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.46 or more per hour.

    Is West Kentucky above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in West Kentucky is 21.8% below the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in West Kentucky?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $23,330 per year in West Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,390.