Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Pay Range in Kentucky
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$25,580
- 25th Percentile — Junior$28,880
- 50th Percentile — Median$31,550
- 75th Percentile — Senior$37,370
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$45,720
Half of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky earn more than $31,550. The top 10% make $45,720 or more, while entry-level workers start around $25,580.
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Kentucky ranks 43rd of 51 states for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay, at $33,790 per year (12.9% below the U.S. average of $38,810).
- 11,540 people work as Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky — 2.6% of all U.S. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs.
- Location quotient 2.03: Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs are more concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $25,580; the top 10% earn over $45,720.
- Hourly equivalent: $16.25 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $52,100.
- Among hospitality jobs in Kentucky, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($55,770).
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation
Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria here earn $33,790 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $33,790 is roughly equivalent to $40,711 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Iowa ($35,260), Tennessee ($35,260), Missouri ($35,190) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Kentucky
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $55,770/yr Kentucky +65.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $39,320/yr Kentucky +16.4% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $35,410/yr Kentucky +4.8% vs this role
- Bartenders $34,970/yr Kentucky +3.5% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $33,700/yr Kentucky 0.3% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,890/yr Kentucky 20.4% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $26,350/yr Kentucky 22.0% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $25,300/yr Kentucky 25.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in Kentucky?
The average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in Kentucky is $33,790 per year (median $31,550), which is 12.9% below the national average of $38,810.
How does Kentucky rank for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay?
Kentucky ranks 43rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($52,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make in Kentucky?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky earn about $25,580 per year and the 25th percentile is $28,880.
How much do Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Kentucky?
About $16.25 per hour, based on the $33,790 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Institution and Cafeteria work in Kentucky?
BLS counts 11,540 Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).
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