Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Paducah, KY-IL
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn a median of $44,720 a year ($21.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,230 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 7% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $48,070. There are 0.85 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $49,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Paducah, KY-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,290 | $16.49 |
| 25th percentile | $38,410 | $18.47 |
| Median | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| 75th percentile | $58,490 | $28.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Average (mean) | $49,810 | $23.95 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,726.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,863.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,720 |
| Weekly | $860 |
| Hourly | $21.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $64,480 | 1,030 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $60,880 | 100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $60,770 | 6,840 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $56,790 | 270 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $56,620 | 1,060 |
| Bloomington, IL | $55,700 | 100 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $54,080 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $53,240 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $48,850 | 180 |
| Springfield, IL | $48,100 | 100 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $48,040 | 130 |
| Peoria, IL | $47,800 | 190 |
| Rockford, IL | $47,740 | 130 |
| Owensboro, KY | $47,620 | 30 |
| Kankakee, IL | $47,160 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $46,310 | 750 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Paducah, KY-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,640 | $13.29 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,210 | $13.08 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,440 | $12.71 |
| Bartender | $26,350 | $12.67 |
| Dishwasher | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,030 | $13.00 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Paducah, KY-IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $44,720 a year, or $21.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn at least $79,230 a year. The top 25% earn $58,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Paducah, KY-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,290 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $38,410 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Paducah, KY-IL?
About 40 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.