Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $15.17 an hour ($31,550 a year). About 11,540 people work in this job there.
That is 16% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). Kentucky ranks 45th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kentucky
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $12.30 | $25,580 |
| 25% of workers | $13.89 | $28,880 |
| Half of workers (median) | $15.17 | $31,550 |
| 75% of workers | $17.97 | $37,370 |
| 90% of workers | $21.98 | $45,720 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Kentucky metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $37,370 | 2,700 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $36,470 | 1,410 |
| Paducah | $35,310 | 440 |
| Bowling Green | $31,550 | 530 |
| Elizabethtown | $30,260 | 360 |
| Owensboro | $30,170 | 330 |
Kentucky unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,130 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,500 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,810 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $26,850 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,640 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,070 |
| Food Service Managers | $70,410 |
| Bakers | $33,890 |
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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.