How much does a chef and head cook make in Kentucky?
$48,070a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in Kentucky. That is $23.11 an hour or $4,006 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.11
- Vs. national median
- -23%
- Rank among states
- 48 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 1,790
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,550Median: $48,070Highest 10%: $88,410
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,550 | $15.17 | |
| 25th | $36,850 | $17.72 | |
| Median | $48,070 | $23.11 | |
| 75th | $66,770 | $32.10 | |
| 90th | $88,410 | $42.50 |
Cities in Kentucky
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Clarksville, TN | $60,880 |
| Lexington, KY | $56,790 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $56,620 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $54,080 |
| Huntington, WV | $53,240 |
| Owensboro, KY | $47,620 |
| Louisville, KY | $46,310 |
| Paducah, KY | $44,720 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for chef and head cooks.
| 45. Indiana | $52,190 |
| 46. Idaho | $52,000 |
| 47. South Dakota | $48,470 |
| 48. Kentucky | $48,070 |
| 49. Iowa | $47,990 |
| 50. Arkansas | $46,170 |
| 51. Louisiana | $45,570 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Kentucky?
The median hourly pay in Kentucky is $23.11 ($48,070 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Kentucky than the national average?
No: $48,070 against $62,470 nationally, 23% less.
Where does Kentucky rank for chef and head cook pay?
Kentucky ranks 48 of 51 states.
Which city in Kentucky pays chef and head cooks the most?
Clarksville, TN-KY, with a median of $60,880 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.