Cooks, Fast Food pay in Lexington-Fayette

In Lexington-Fayette (KY), the median pay for cooks, fast food is $12.91 an hour ($26,840 a year). About 3,040 people work in this job there.

$12.91Median hourly pay
$22,650–$27,890Middle half of workers, yearly
3,040People in this job in Lexington-Fayette (KY)

That is 13% lower than the U.S. median ($30,890). It is 14% higher than the Kentucky median ($23,500).

Pay range for cooks, fast food in Lexington-Fayette (KY)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$10.54$21,920
25% of workers$10.89$22,650
Half of workers (median)$12.91$26,840
75% of workers$13.41$27,890
90% of workers$14.67$30,510

Cooks, Fast Food pay in Kentucky metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Louisville/Jefferson County$26,9905,060
Lexington-Fayette (this page)$26,8403,040
Elizabethtown$23,870660
Bowling Green$23,450820
Owensboro$22,260620

Kentucky unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for cooks, fast food

  • Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +0.6% over ten years, little or no change · about 86,400 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette (KY)

JobMedian yearly pay
Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,990
Food Preparation Workers$27,340
Cooks, Restaurant$35,970
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36,470

Other job titles for this job

Cook Line WorkerFast Food CookFast Food FRY CookFood CookFood Service CookFryerFryline AttendantGrill Line CookPizza CookPizza MakerCooks Fast Food

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Source: 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.