Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Kentucky
Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias in Kentucky make a median of $30,770 a year, or about $14.79 an hour. The range runs from $24K at the entry level to $44K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Kentucky. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $31K get you in Kentucky?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level cooks, institution and cafeterias (10th percentile) start around $24K. Mid-career wages sit at $31K. Top earners bring in $44K or more, a $19K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by metro in Kentucky
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $37K | +19% | 2,780 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $36K | +17% | 1,360 |
| Paducah | $31K | +2% | 340 |
| Bowling Green | $31K | +0% | 500 |
| Owensboro | $30K | -2% | 290 |
| Elizabethtown | $29K | -5% | 330 |
Compare to other states
Track cooks, institution and cafeteria salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, institution and cafeterias make in Kentucky?
The median is $30,770 a year, that works out to about $15 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $24,460, and experienced cooks, institution and cafeterias can clear $43,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $31K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,128/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 52.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cooks, institution and cafeteria salary go in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary is worth about $34,102 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, institution and cafeterias get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.