How much does a cook make in Kentucky?
$31,840a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in Kentucky. That is $15.31 an hour or $2,653 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.31
- Vs. national median
- -11%
- Rank among states
- 32 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 650
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,860Median: $31,840Highest 10%: $44,880
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,860 | $10.99 | |
| 25th | $26,430 | $12.71 | |
| Median | $31,840 | $15.31 | |
| 75th | $39,040 | $18.77 | |
| 90th | $44,880 | $21.58 |
Cities in Kentucky
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Lexington, KY | $39,040 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $32,180 |
| Clarksville, TN | $30,170 |
| Louisville, KY | $29,630 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $27,590 |
| Huntington, WV | $26,470 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 29. South Dakota | $32,380 |
| 30. New Hampshire | $32,330 |
| 31. Minnesota | $32,150 |
| 32. Kentucky | $31,840 |
| 33. North Carolina | $31,290 |
| 34. Virginia | $31,200 |
| 35. Nebraska | $30,530 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Kentucky?
The median hourly pay in Kentucky is $15.31 ($31,840 a year).
Do cooks make more in Kentucky than the national average?
No: $31,840 against $35,880 nationally, 11% less.
Where does Kentucky rank for cook pay?
Kentucky ranks 32 of 49 states.
Which city in Kentucky pays cooks the most?
Lexington-Fayette, KY, with a median of $39,040 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.