Cooks, Restaurant Salary in East Kentucky

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

Median annual salary $28,370 -23% vs national
Median hourly $13.64
10th percentile $20,100
90th percentile $36,880
Employed locally 400
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,100
    25th
    $22,440
    50th (median)
    $28,370
    75th
    $32,670
    90th
    $36,880

    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 East Kentucky

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $22,840
    Cooks, Fast Food $20,990
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $28,460
    Food Preparation Workers $21,780
    Waiters and Waitresses $18,830
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $22,210

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in East Kentucky is $13.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.02 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in East Kentucky is 23% 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 East Kentucky?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $20,100 per year in East Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,440.