How much does a cook make in Lexington?
$39,040a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area. That is $18.77 an hour or $3,253 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.77
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among cities
- 30 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $25,040Median: $39,040Highest 10%: $47,440
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,040 | $12.04 | |
| 25th | $30,850 | $14.83 | |
| Median | $39,040 | $18.77 | |
| 75th | $45,780 | $22.01 | |
| 90th | $47,440 | $22.81 |
Other cities in Kentucky
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Cincinnati, OH | $32,180 |
| Clarksville, TN | $30,170 |
| Louisville, KY | $29,630 |
| Huntington, WV | $26,470 |
Related jobs in Lexington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $56,790 |
| Cook | $36,470 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $36,350 |
| Cook | $35,970 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $34,910 |
| Dishwasher | $31,110 |
| Bartender | $30,640 |
| Food Server | $30,430 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,990 |
| Host and Hostess | $27,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Lexington?
The median hourly pay in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $18.77 ($39,040 a year).
Do cooks make more in Lexington than the national average?
Yes: $39,040 against $35,880 nationally, 9% more.
How does Lexington compare with the rest of Kentucky?
The median in Kentucky is $31,840, so Lexington pays 23% more.
Where does Lexington rank for cook pay?
30 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Lexington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $25,040 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,440 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.