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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Kentucky
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Kentucky?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$31,550
Median Annual Salary
▲
+2.5% vs 2024
$33,790
Mean Salary
$31,550
Median Salary
$15.17
Hourly Rate
11,540 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in Kentucky
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky earn a median salary of $31,550 per year ($2,629/month).
This is 18.4% below the national average of $38,684.
Kentucky ranks #45 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 11,540 people work in this occupation across Kentucky.
Salaries increased by 2.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Top Skills
Speaking
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Service Orientation
3.12
Operations Monitoring
3.12
Quality Control Analysis
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
3.6
Food Production
3.58
Customer and Personal Service
3.56
Mathematics
3.54
Administration and Management
3.34
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(71.1% of workers)
Salary Range: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky range from $25,580 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $45,720 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $28,880 and $37,370.
Median $31,550
P10: $25,580P25: $28,880P75: $37,370P90: $45,720
10th
$25,580
25th
$28,880
Median
$31,550
75th
$37,370
90th
$45,720
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$25,580
$12.30
$2,131
25th Percentile
$28,880
$13.88
$2,406
Median (50th)
$31,550
$15.17
$2,629
75th Percentile
$37,370
$17.97
$3,114
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$45,720
$21.98
$3,810
Note: The mean (average) salary of $33,790 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#45
Kentucky ranks #45 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Kentucky?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky is $31,550 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $33,790.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky range from $25,580 at the 10th percentile to $45,720 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $28,880 and $37,370.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in Kentucky typically start around $25,580 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $28,880 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 11,540 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky is approximately $15.17 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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