SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — West Kentucky
West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
At $36,840, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Chefs and Head Cooks, 41.0% beneath the national figure of $62,470.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,840, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Chefs and Head Cooks, 41.0% beneath the national figure of $62,470. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $28,900 and $50,970. The lowest tenth earn under $25,030, while the highest tenth earn more than $65,980.
Employment stands at 80, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. 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 276th of 344 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,030 | −59.9% |
| 25th | $28,900 | −53.7% |
| Median (50th) | $36,840 | −41.0% |
| 75th | $50,970 | −18.4% |
| 90th | $65,980 | +5.6% |
| Mean | $42,150 | −32.5% |
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 West Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $36,840 goes as far as $40,843 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 34.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,843US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,840 a year, 41.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,030 to $65,980 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 West Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $36,840, or $17.71 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 West Kentucky, KY is 41.0% 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 West Kentucky, KY earns more than $65,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,030 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 West 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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