Food Preparation Workers pay in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the median pay for food preparation workers is $12.91 an hour ($26,850 a year). About 15,390 people work in this job there.
That is 24% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). Kentucky ranks 49th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Kentucky
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.05 | $20,900 |
| 25% of workers | $10.96 | $22,790 |
| Half of workers (median) | $12.91 | $26,850 |
| 75% of workers | $16.29 | $33,890 |
| 90% of workers | $18.19 | $37,830 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Kentucky metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $29,640 | 4,910 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $27,340 | 2,310 |
| Paducah | $27,210 | 480 |
| Owensboro | $27,130 | 460 |
| Bowling Green | $26,410 | 660 |
| Elizabethtown | $23,600 | 490 |
Kentucky unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- 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: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,130 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,500 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,640 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,550 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,200 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,330 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,070 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $35,430 |
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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.