Cooks, Restaurant Salary in West Kentucky

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

Median annual salary $28,080 -23.8% vs national
Median hourly $13.50
10th percentile $20,530
90th percentile $35,960
Employed locally 930
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,530
    25th
    $23,960
    50th (median)
    $28,080
    75th
    $31,010
    90th
    $35,960

    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 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 Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in West Kentucky?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in West Kentucky is $13.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.35 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in West Kentucky is 23.8% 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 West Kentucky?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $20,530 per year in West Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,960.