How much does a food preparation worker make in Bowling Green?
$26,410a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Bowling Green, KY metro area. That is $12.70 an hour or $2,201 a month.
- Hourly
- $12.70
- Vs. national median
- -25%
- Rank among cities
- 366 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 660
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,310Median: $26,410Highest 10%: $36,690
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,310 | $10.25 | |
| 25th | $22,900 | $11.01 | |
| Median | $26,410 | $12.70 | |
| 75th | $33,040 | $15.88 | |
| 90th | $36,690 | $17.64 |
Other cities in Kentucky
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Cincinnati, OH | $34,320 |
| Louisville, KY | $29,640 |
| Lexington, KY | $27,340 |
| Paducah, KY | $27,210 |
| Owensboro, KY | $27,130 |
| Clarksville, TN | $27,030 |
| Huntington, WV | $24,960 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $23,600 |
Related jobs in Bowling Green
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $54,080 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,150 |
| Food Server | $34,040 |
| Cook | $31,550 |
| Cook | $31,040 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $28,810 |
| Dishwasher | $28,740 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,650 |
| Bartender | $26,800 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $26,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Bowling Green?
The median hourly pay in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $12.70 ($26,410 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Bowling Green than the national average?
No: $26,410 against $35,320 nationally, 25% less.
How does Bowling Green compare with the rest of Kentucky?
The median in Kentucky is $26,850, so Bowling Green pays 2% less.
Where does Bowling Green rank for food preparation worker pay?
366 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Bowling Green?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,310 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,690 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.