How much does a food preparation worker make in Lexington?
$27,340a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area. That is $13.14 an hour or $2,278 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.14
- Vs. national median
- -23%
- Rank among cities
- 350 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 2,310
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,180Median: $27,340Highest 10%: $37,420
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,180 | $10.66 | |
| 25th | $24,230 | $11.65 | |
| Median | $27,340 | $13.14 | |
| 75th | $34,750 | $16.71 | |
| 90th | $37,420 | $17.99 |
Other cities in Kentucky
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Cincinnati, OH | $34,320 |
| Louisville, KY | $29,640 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Lexington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $56,790 |
| Cook | $39,040 |
| 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 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Lexington?
The median hourly pay in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $13.14 ($27,340 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Lexington than the national average?
No: $27,340 against $35,320 nationally, 23% less.
How does Lexington compare with the rest of Kentucky?
The median in Kentucky is $26,850, so Lexington pays 2% more.
Where does Lexington rank for food preparation worker pay?
350 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Lexington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,180 or less a year; the top 10% make $37,420 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.