Food Preparation Worker salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Food Preparation Workers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $27,340 a year ($13.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,420 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $26,850. There are 8.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $29,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,180 | $10.66 |
| 25th percentile | $24,230 | $11.65 |
| Median | $27,340 | $13.14 |
| 75th percentile | $34,750 | $16.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| Average (mean) | $29,230 | $14.05 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $2,278.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,139.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,051.54 |
| Weekly | $525.77 |
| Hourly | $13.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $34,320 | 5,320 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $29,640 | 4,910 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $27,210 | 480 |
| Owensboro, KY | $27,130 | 460 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $27,030 | 790 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $26,410 | 660 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $24,960 | 850 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $23,600 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,840 | $12.91 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,970 | $17.30 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,990 | $13.46 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Bartender | $30,640 | $14.73 |
| Dishwasher | $31,110 | $14.96 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $24,090 | $11.58 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $56,790 | $27.30 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $27,340 a year, or $13.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $37,420 a year. The top 25% earn $34,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,180 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $24,230 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 2,310 food preparation workers are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.