Food Preparation Workers Salary in Paducah, KY-IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Paducah, KY-IL

Median annual salary $24,200 -29.3% vs national
Median hourly $11.63
10th percentile $18,560
90th percentile $34,910
Employed locally 460
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Paducah, KY-IL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,560
    25th
    $21,650
    50th (median)
    $24,200
    75th
    $29,580
    90th
    $34,910

    Paducah economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,286 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 Paducah, KY-IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,620
    Waiters and Waitresses $20,510
    Cooks, Fast Food $23,120
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,270
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,400
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,450

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Paducah, KY-IL is $11.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.43 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Paducah, KY-IL is 29.3% 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 Paducah?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $18,560 per year in Paducah, KY-IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,650.