SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Central Kentucky
Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Central Kentucky, KY is $52,290 a year, trailing the national median of $62,470 by 16.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Central Kentucky, KY is $52,290 a year, trailing the national median of $62,470 by 16.3%. Half of workers earn between $37,510 and $66,410. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $28,900 and the ninetieth at $84,790.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.5 of every thousand jobs. Lexington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $56,790. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 213th of 412 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,900 | −53.7% |
| 25th | $37,510 | −40.0% |
| Median (50th) | $52,290 | −16.3% |
| 75th | $66,410 | +6.3% |
| 90th | $84,790 | +35.7% |
| Mean | $56,020 | −10.3% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $56,790 | 270 | |
| 2 | Bowling Green | $54,080 | 50 | |
| 3 | Owensboro | $47,620 | 30 | |
| 4 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $46,310 | 750 | |
| 5 | Paducah | $44,720 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $52,290 goes as far as $57,971 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$52,290as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$57,971US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,290 a year, 16.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,900 to $84,790 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lexington, at $56,790.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Central Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $52,290, or $25.14 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Central Kentucky, KY is 16.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Central Kentucky, KY earns more than $84,790 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,900 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Lexington, at $56,790 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Central Kentucky, KY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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