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Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Kentucky
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Fast Food make in Kentucky?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$23,500
Median Annual Salary
▲
+0.3% vs 2024
$25,300
Mean Salary
$23,500
Median Salary
$11.30
Hourly Rate
21,750 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky
Cooks, Fast Food salary by percentile in Kentucky
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky earn a median salary of $23,500 per year ($1,958/month).
This is 26.0% below the national average of $31,757.
Kentucky ranks #49 out of 51 states for Cooks, Fast Food pay.
Approximately 21,750 people work in this occupation across Kentucky.
Salaries increased by 0.3% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Fast Food
Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.0
Service Orientation
3.0
Speaking
2.75
Social Perceptiveness
2.75
Coordination
2.75
Key Knowledge Areas
Administration and Management
3.34
Transportation
3.26
Communications and Media
3.2
Customer and Personal Service
3.13
Public Safety and Security
3.13
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(58.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky range from $21,220 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $30,000 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $22,030 and $27,890.
Median $23,500
P10: $21,220P25: $22,030P75: $27,890P90: $30,000
10th
$21,220
25th
$22,030
Median
$23,500
75th
$27,890
90th
$30,000
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$21,220
$10.20
$1,768
25th Percentile
$22,030
$10.59
$1,835
Median (50th)
$23,500
$11.30
$1,958
75th Percentile
$27,890
$13.41
$2,324
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$30,000
$14.42
$2,500
Note: The mean (average) salary of $25,300 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky is $23,500 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $25,300.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky?
Salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky range from $21,220 at the 10th percentile to $30,000 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $22,030 and $27,890.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky?
Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food positions in Kentucky typically start around $21,220 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $22,030 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 21,750 people are employed as Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Fast Food in Kentucky is approximately $11.30 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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