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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Kentucky
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in Kentucky?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$34,640
Median Annual Salary
▲
+11.9% vs 2024
$33,700
Mean Salary
$34,640
Median Salary
$16.65
Hourly Rate
13,510 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in Kentucky
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky earn a median salary of $34,640 per year ($2,886/month).
This is 8.1% below the national average of $37,684.
Kentucky ranks #45 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 13,510 people work in this occupation across Kentucky.
Salaries increased by 11.9% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.1
Customer and Personal Service
3.89
English Language
3.56
Production and Processing
3.0
Administration and Management
2.92
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky range from $24,750 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $43,750 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $28,850 and $37,200.
Median $34,640
P10: $24,750P25: $28,850P75: $37,200P90: $43,750
10th
$24,750
25th
$28,850
Median
$34,640
75th
$37,200
90th
$43,750
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$24,750
$11.90
$2,062
25th Percentile
$28,850
$13.87
$2,404
Median (50th)
$34,640
$16.65
$2,886
75th Percentile
$37,200
$17.88
$3,100
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$43,750
$21.03
$3,645
Note: The mean (average) salary of $33,700 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky is $34,640 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $33,700.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky range from $24,750 at the 10th percentile to $43,750 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $28,850 and $37,200.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in Kentucky typically start around $24,750 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $28,850 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 13,510 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky is approximately $16.65 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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