Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Kentucky
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky earn a median of $31,550 a year ($15.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,720 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $37,450. Kentucky ranks 45th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 5.8 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,580 | $12.30 |
| 25th percentile | $28,880 | $13.89 |
| Median | $31,550 | $15.17 |
| 75th percentile | $37,370 | $17.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| Average (mean) | $33,790 | $16.25 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $2,629.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,314.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,213.46 |
| Weekly | $606.73 |
| Hourly | $15.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $37,370 | 2,700 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $37,180 | 4,310 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $36,470 | 1,410 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,570 | 470 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $35,310 | 440 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $31,550 | 530 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $30,260 | 360 |
| Owensboro, KY | $30,170 | 330 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,630 | 920 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,130 | $13.04 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,660 | $14.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| Bartender | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,100 | $13.03 |
| Dishwasher | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,330 | $12.66 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $48,070 | $23.11 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. 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 cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Kentucky?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kentucky is $31,550 a year, or $15.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kentucky earn at least $45,720 a year. The top 25% earn $37,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,580 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $28,880 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Kentucky?
About 11,540 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.