Cooks, Short Order Salary in Central Kentucky

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

Median annual salary $27,160 -23.8% vs national
Median hourly $13.06
10th percentile $22,190
90th percentile $35,620
Employed locally 90
National median $35,620

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Cooks, Short Order
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Central Kentucky
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,190
    25th
    $24,270
    50th (median)
    $27,160
    75th
    $32,840
    90th
    $35,620

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Short Order

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,970
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $48,700
    Barnstable Town, MA $46,830
    Arizona $46,240
    Washington $46,010
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $46,010

    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, Short Order make per hour in Central Kentucky?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Short Order in Central Kentucky is $13.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.00 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Short Order salary in Central Kentucky is 23.8% below the national median of $35,620. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Cooks, Short Order (10th percentile) earn around $22,190 per year in Central Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,270.