How much does a food preparation worker make in Paducah?
$27,210a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area. That is $13.08 an hour or $2,268 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.08
- Vs. national median
- -23%
- Rank among cities
- 355 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 480
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,300Median: $27,210Highest 10%: $36,260
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,300 | $10.24 | |
| 25th | $23,310 | $11.21 | |
| Median | $27,210 | $13.08 | |
| 75th | $32,650 | $15.70 | |
| 90th | $36,260 | $17.43 |
Other cities in Kentucky
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Cincinnati, OH | $34,320 |
| Louisville, KY | $29,640 |
| Lexington, KY | $27,340 |
| Owensboro, KY | $27,130 |
| Clarksville, TN | $27,030 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $26,410 |
| Huntington, WV | $24,960 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $23,600 |
Related jobs in Paducah
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Cook | $35,310 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $35,210 |
| Cook | $31,200 |
| Dishwasher | $29,520 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $29,280 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,640 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,030 |
| Host and Hostess | $26,440 |
| Bartender | $26,350 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Paducah?
The median hourly pay in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $13.08 ($27,210 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Paducah than the national average?
No: $27,210 against $35,320 nationally, 23% less.
How does Paducah compare with the rest of Kentucky?
The median in Kentucky is $26,850, so Paducah pays 1% more.
Where does Paducah rank for food preparation worker pay?
355 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Paducah?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,300 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,260 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.