Food Preparation Workers Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

Median annual salary $27,610 -19.3% vs national
Median hourly $13.27
10th percentile $18,720
90th percentile $37,560
Employed locally 4,920
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Food Preparation Workers
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Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,720
    25th
    $22,900
    50th (median)
    $27,610
    75th
    $34,160
    90th
    $37,560

    Louisville/Jefferson County economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,737 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
    Lexington-Fayette, KY $26,980
    Clarksville, TN-KY $25,890
    Kentucky $24,520

    Related occupations in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,340
    Waiters and Waitresses $25,680
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,140
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,420
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,040
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $36,650

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Louisville/Jefferson County?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is $13.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.22 or more per hour.

    Is Louisville/Jefferson County above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is 19.3% 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 Louisville/Jefferson County?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $18,720 per year in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,900.