How much does a cook make in Kentucky?
$34,640a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in Kentucky. That is $16.65 an hour or $2,887 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.65
- Vs. national median
- -7%
- Rank among states
- 45 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 13,510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,750Median: $34,640Highest 10%: $43,750
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,750 | $11.90 | |
| 25th | $28,850 | $13.87 | |
| Median | $34,640 | $16.65 | |
| 75th | $37,200 | $17.88 | |
| 90th | $43,750 | $21.03 |
Cities in Kentucky
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Cincinnati, OH | $36,030 |
| Lexington, KY | $35,970 |
| Louisville, KY | $35,950 |
| Clarksville, TN | $34,840 |
| Paducah, KY | $31,200 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $31,040 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $30,120 |
| Owensboro, KY | $30,010 |
| Huntington, WV | $29,550 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 42. Kansas | $35,130 |
| 43. New Mexico | $35,020 |
| 44. Texas | $34,760 |
| 45. Kentucky | $34,640 |
| 46. Alabama | $32,180 |
| 47. Oklahoma | $31,720 |
| 48. Arkansas | $30,180 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Kentucky?
The median hourly pay in Kentucky is $16.65 ($34,640 a year).
Do cooks make more in Kentucky than the national average?
No: $34,640 against $37,390 nationally, 7% less.
Where does Kentucky rank for cook pay?
Kentucky ranks 45 of 51 states.
Which city in Kentucky pays cooks the most?
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN, with a median of $36,030 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.