Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Central Kentucky

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

Median annual salary $28,690 -22.1% vs national
Median hourly $13.79
10th percentile $20,860
90th percentile $36,330
Employed locally 1,100
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,860
    25th
    $26,190
    50th (median)
    $28,690
    75th
    $33,100
    90th
    $36,330

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in Central Kentucky

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $22,580
    Cooks, Fast Food $22,520
    Waiters and Waitresses $21,840
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $30,270
    Food Preparation Workers $21,780
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $28,950

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Central Kentucky?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Central Kentucky is $13.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.81 or more per hour.

    Is Central Kentucky above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Central Kentucky is 22.1% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Central Kentucky?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $20,860 per year in Central Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,190.