Cooks, Short Order pay in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the median pay for cooks, short order is $15.31 an hour ($31,840 a year). About 650 people work in this job there.
That is 11% lower than the U.S. median ($35,880). Kentucky ranks 32nd of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Kentucky
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.99 | $22,860 |
| 25% of workers | $12.71 | $26,430 |
| Half of workers (median) | $15.31 | $31,840 |
| 75% of workers | $18.77 | $39,040 |
| 90% of workers | $21.58 | $44,880 |
Cooks, Short Order pay in Kentucky metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette | $39,040 | 130 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $29,630 | 260 |
| Bowling Green | $27,590 | 40 |
Kentucky unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, short order
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -5.2% over ten years, declining · about 17,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,130 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,500 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $26,850 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,640 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,550 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,070 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,430 |
| Bakers | $33,890 |
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.