Food Preparation Workers Salary in Bowling Green, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bowling Green, KY

Median annual salary $24,080 -29.6% vs national
Median hourly $11.58
10th percentile $18,480
90th percentile $35,440
Employed locally 610
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Bowling Green, KY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,480
    25th
    $21,340
    50th (median)
    $24,080
    75th
    $29,970
    90th
    $35,440

    Bowling Green economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,437 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 39% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 61% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sandusky, OH $31,720
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $31,300
    Rocky Mount, NC $27,720
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $27,610
    Lexington-Fayette, KY $26,980
    Clarksville, TN-KY $25,890

    Related occupations in Bowling Green, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,580
    Waiters and Waitresses $20,950
    Cooks, Fast Food $23,350
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,440
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,180
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $30,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Bowling Green?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Bowling Green, KY is $11.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.64 or more per hour.

    Is Bowling Green above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Bowling Green, KY is 29.6% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Bowling Green?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $18,480 per year in Bowling Green, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,340.