Food Preparation Workers pay in Louisville/Jefferson County
In Louisville/Jefferson County (KY), the median pay for food preparation workers is $14.25 an hour ($29,640 a year). About 4,910 people work in this job there.
That is 16% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). It is 10% higher than the Kentucky median ($26,850).
Pay range for food preparation workers in Louisville/Jefferson County (KY)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.22 | $21,250 |
| 25% of workers | $12.76 | $26,540 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.25 | $29,640 |
| 75% of workers | $17.53 | $36,470 |
| 90% of workers | $19.22 | $39,980 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Kentucky metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County (this page) | $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 Louisville/Jefferson County (KY)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,690 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,950 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,990 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,370 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,030 |
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.