Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Kentucky
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$16,520
- 25th Percentile — Junior$18,170
- 50th Percentile — Median$29,660
- 75th Percentile — Senior$45,710
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$62,030
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Kentucky earn more than $29,660. The top 10% make $62,030 or more, while entry-level workers start around $16,520.
Waiters and Waitresses in Kentucky: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Kentucky ranks 33rd of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $35,410 per year (11.6% below the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 27,150 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Kentucky — 1.2% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.93: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $16,520; the top 10% earn over $62,030.
- Hourly equivalent: $17.02 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Kentucky, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($55,770).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation
Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $35,410 on average, placing the state 33rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $35,410 is roughly equivalent to $42,663 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Utah ($37,360), Nevada ($36,870), North Dakota ($36,250) are the closest alternatives for Waiters and Waitresses 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 +57.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $39,320/yr Kentucky +11.0% vs this role
- Bartenders $34,970/yr Kentucky 1.2% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $33,790/yr Kentucky 4.6% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $33,700/yr Kentucky 4.8% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,890/yr Kentucky 24.1% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $26,350/yr Kentucky 25.6% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $25,300/yr Kentucky 28.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Kentucky?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Kentucky is $35,410 per year (median $29,660), which is 11.6% below the national average of $40,060.
How does Kentucky rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Kentucky ranks 33rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Kentucky?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Kentucky earn about $16,520 per year and the 25th percentile is $18,170.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Kentucky?
About $17.02 per hour, based on the $35,410 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Kentucky?
BLS counts 27,150 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data