📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Cooks Fast Food Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Kentucky · 17.0% below national average · Very High Demand

Average
$27,622
per year
Median
$25,962
per year
Hourly
$13.28
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$20,940
25th Percentile — Junior$24,094
50th Percentile — Median$25,962
75th Percentile — Senior$31,191
90th Percentile — Top Earners$33,048
💡 Top-earning Cooks Fast Foods in Kentucky make up to $33,048 per year. The job market in Kentucky is rated moderate, with key industries including Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$23.8k
2021
$24.5k
2022
$25.3k
2023
$26.0k
2024
$26.8k
2025
$27.6k
2026
📈 Cooks Fast Food salaries in Kentucky have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in Kentucky's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Cooks Fast Food Salary by City in Kentucky
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Louisville $23,202 -16.0% Very High
Lexington $23,202 -16.0% Very High
🔍
Cooks Fast Food Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky is home to a moderate job market for Cooks Fast Foods. The state's key industries — Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $27,622 per year, Kentucky's Cooks Fast Food salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Kentucky (index: 0.83) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Kentucky can expect to earn $20,940–$24,094, while experienced Cooks Fast Foods can command $31,191–$33,048.

Looking ahead, the Cooks Fast Food profession in Kentucky is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Manufacturing continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Cooks Fast Food salary in Kentucky is $27,622 per year in 2026, which is 17.0% below the national average of $33,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Cooks Fast Foods the highest wages in Kentucky due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Kentucky has a moderate job market with major industries in Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture. Opportunities exist in for Cooks Fast Food employment.
  • At $27,622/year, Kentucky Cooks Fast Food salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average of $33,280/year.