How much does a cook make in Paducah?
$35,310a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area. That is $16.98 an hour or $2,943 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.98
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 262 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 440
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,370Median: $35,310Highest 10%: $56,590
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,370 | $13.16 | |
| 25th | $29,910 | $14.38 | |
| Median | $35,310 | $16.98 | |
| 75th | $52,110 | $25.05 | |
| 90th | $56,590 | $27.21 |
Other cities in Kentucky
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Louisville, KY | $37,370 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $37,180 |
| Lexington, KY | $36,470 |
| Clarksville, TN | $35,570 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $31,550 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $30,260 |
| Owensboro, KY | $30,170 |
| Huntington, WV | $29,630 |
Related jobs in Paducah
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $35,210 |
| Cook | $31,200 |
| Dishwasher | $29,520 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $29,280 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,640 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,210 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,030 |
| Host and Hostess | $26,440 |
| Bartender | $26,350 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Paducah?
The median hourly pay in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $16.98 ($35,310 a year).
Do cooks make more in Paducah than the national average?
No: $35,310 against $37,450 nationally, 6% less.
How does Paducah compare with the rest of Kentucky?
The median in Kentucky is $31,550, so Paducah pays 12% more.
Where does Paducah rank for cook pay?
262 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Paducah?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,370 or less a year; the top 10% make $56,590 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.