Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Cooks, Fast Food salary grow from entry-level to senior in Kentucky? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
41% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • Kentucky salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky spans from $21,220 at entry-level to $30,000 at senior level — a difference of $8,780 per year.
Senior Cooks, Fast Foods in Kentucky earn $8,780 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Cooks, Fast Food salary increases with experience in Kentucky, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $21,220 | $1,768 | $10.20 |
| Early Career | P25 | $22,030 | $1,836 | $10.59 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $23,500 | $1,958 | $11.30 |
| Experienced | P75 | $27,890 | $2,324 | $13.41 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14.42 |
Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky has a moderate salary progression with a 41% growth from entry-level ($21,220) to senior ($30,000). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($23,500) and P90 ($30,000) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does Kentucky rank for Cooks, Fast Food senior-level salaries? Compare Kentucky's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Cooks, Fast Foods (10th percentile) earn approximately $21,220 per year, or $1,768 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $22,030. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Cooks, Fast Foods (90th percentile) earn approximately $30,000 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $27,890. This represents a career premium of 41% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Cooks, Fast Foods is 41%. Entry-level professionals start at $21,220, while senior-level can earn up to $30,000 — a difference of $8,780 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Cooks, Fast Foods is Kentucky, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $30,000 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for Kentucky's largest cities.
Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Kentucky's leading institutions.
See how Cooks, Fast Food pay grows from entry-level to senior across the top-paying states.
Drill deeper into Cooks, Fast Food pay, hiring, and education data for Kentucky.
Salary percentile data for Kentucky from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Kentucky.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS