How much does a food preparation worker make in Kentucky?
$26,850a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in Kentucky. That is $12.91 an hour or $2,238 a month.
- Hourly
- $12.91
- Vs. national median
- -24%
- Rank among states
- 49 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 15,390
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $20,900Median: $26,850Highest 10%: $37,830
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,900 | $10.05 | |
| 25th | $22,790 | $10.96 | |
| Median | $26,850 | $12.91 | |
| 75th | $33,890 | $16.29 | |
| 90th | $37,830 | $18.19 |
Cities in Kentucky
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Cincinnati, OH | $34,320 |
| Louisville, KY | $29,640 |
| Lexington, KY | $27,340 |
| Paducah, KY | $27,210 |
| Owensboro, KY | $27,130 |
| Clarksville, TN | $27,030 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $26,410 |
| Huntington, WV | $24,960 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $23,600 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food preparation workers.
| 46. West Virginia | $28,360 |
| 47. Alabama | $27,930 |
| 48. Arkansas | $27,660 |
| 49. Kentucky | $26,850 |
| 50. Mississippi | $26,240 |
| 51. Louisiana | $23,620 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Kentucky?
The median hourly pay in Kentucky is $12.91 ($26,850 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Kentucky than the national average?
No: $26,850 against $35,320 nationally, 24% less.
Where does Kentucky rank for food preparation worker pay?
Kentucky ranks 49 of 51 states.
Which city in Kentucky pays food preparation workers the most?
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN, with a median of $34,320 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.