Food Preparation Workers Salary in Lexington, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lexington-Fayette, KY

Median annual salary $26,980 -21.2% vs national
Median hourly $12.97
10th percentile $20,380
90th percentile $37,270
Employed locally 2,120
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Lexington, KY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,380
    25th
    $22,370
    50th (median)
    $26,980
    75th
    $32,570
    90th
    $37,270

    Lexington economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 38% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 62% 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
    Clarksville, TN-KY $25,890
    Kentucky $24,520

    Related occupations in Lexington, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,740
    Waiters and Waitresses $22,290
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,050
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,520
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,480
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $35,900

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Lexington?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Lexington, KY is $12.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.99 or more per hour.

    Is Lexington above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Lexington, KY is 21.2% 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 Lexington?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $20,380 per year in Lexington, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,370.