Food Preparation Workers Salary in Owensboro, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Owensboro, KY

Median annual salary $23,930 -30.1% vs national
Median hourly $11.50
10th percentile $18,630
90th percentile $34,460
Employed locally 460
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Owensboro, KY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,630
    25th
    $21,200
    50th (median)
    $23,930
    75th
    $28,930
    90th
    $34,460

    Owensboro economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,656 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 36% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 64% 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 Owensboro, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,370
    Waiters and Waitresses $22,590
    Cooks, Fast Food $22,750
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,160
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,130
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $30,050

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Owensboro, KY is $11.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.44 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Owensboro, KY is 30.1% 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 Owensboro?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $18,630 per year in Owensboro, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,200.