SOC 35-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Fast Food — East Kentucky
East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
At $21,620, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Cooks, Fast Food, 30.0% beneath the national figure of $30,890.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $21,620, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Cooks, Fast Food, 30.0% beneath the national figure of $30,890. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $20,470 and $22,290. The lowest tenth earn under $18,260, while the highest tenth earn more than $26,940.
Employment stands at 1,620, or 17.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Louisville/Jefferson County leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $26,990. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 250th of 252 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,260 | −40.9% |
| 25th | $20,470 | −33.7% |
| Median (50th) | $21,620 | −30.0% |
| 75th | $22,290 | −27.8% |
| 90th | $26,940 | −12.8% |
| Mean | $22,340 | −27.7% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $26,990 | 5,060 | |
| 2 | Lexington | $26,840 | 3,040 | |
| 3 | Elizabethtown | $23,870 | 660 | |
| 4 | Bowling Green | $23,450 | 820 | |
| 5 | Owensboro | $22,260 | 620 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $21,620 goes as far as $23,969 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 22.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$21,620as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$23,969US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $21,620 a year, 30.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $18,260 to $26,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,620 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Louisville/Jefferson County, at $26,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Fast Food in East Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $21,620, or $10.40 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 $30,890, so pay in East Kentucky, KY is 30.0% 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 East Kentucky, KY earns more than $26,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $18,260 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, at $26,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,620 jobs in this occupation in East 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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