How much does a cook make in Louisville?
$37,370a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area. That is $17.97 an hour or $3,114 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.97
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 158 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 2,700
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,710Median: $37,370Highest 10%: $46,670
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,710 | $14.28 | |
| 25th | $34,040 | $16.37 | |
| Median | $37,370 | $17.97 | |
| 75th | $44,690 | $21.49 | |
| 90th | $46,670 | $22.44 |
Other cities in Kentucky
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Cincinnati, OH | $37,180 |
| Lexington, KY | $36,470 |
| Clarksville, TN | $35,570 |
| Paducah, KY | $35,310 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $31,550 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $30,260 |
| Owensboro, KY | $30,170 |
| Huntington, WV | $29,630 |
Related jobs in Louisville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $46,310 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,800 |
| Cook | $35,950 |
| Food Server | $31,780 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $30,180 |
| Dishwasher | $29,770 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,640 |
| Cook | $29,630 |
| Bartender | $29,120 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,690 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Louisville?
The median hourly pay in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $17.97 ($37,370 a year).
Do cooks make more in Louisville than the national average?
Yes: $37,370 against $37,450 nationally, 0% more.
How does Louisville compare with the rest of Kentucky?
The median in Kentucky is $31,550, so Louisville pays 18% more.
Where does Louisville rank for cook pay?
158 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Louisville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,710 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,670 or more.
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.