Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $23.11 an hour ($48,070 a year). About 1,790 people work in this job there.
That is 23% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). Kentucky ranks 48th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Kentucky
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.17 | $31,550 |
| 25% of workers | $17.71 | $36,850 |
| Half of workers (median) | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75% of workers | $32.10 | $66,770 |
| 90% of workers | $42.50 | $88,410 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Kentucky metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette | $56,790 | 270 |
| Bowling Green | $54,080 | 50 |
| Owensboro | $47,620 | 30 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $46,310 | 750 |
| Paducah | $44,720 | 40 |
Kentucky unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,660 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,810 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,640 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,550 |
| Food Batchmakers | $46,900 |
| Food Service Managers | $70,410 |
| Bakers | $33,890 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,840 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.