SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — Owensboro
Owensboro, KY · 5 metro areas compared
In Owensboro, KY the median wage is $26,750.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Owensboro, KY the median wage is $26,750. That is 14.3% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay ranges from under $21,830 at the tenth percentile to more than $33,710 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $22,690 to $28,100.
Employment stands at 1,080, or 21.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Louisville/Jefferson County records the highest median at $28,690. Of the 197 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 191st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,830 | −30.0% |
| 25th | $22,690 | −27.3% |
| Median (50th) | $26,750 | −14.3% |
| 75th | $28,100 | −9.9% |
| 90th | $33,710 | +8.0% |
| Mean | $26,070 | −16.4% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $28,690 | 15,540 | |
| 2 | Lexington | $27,990 | 5,500 | |
| 3 | Bowling Green | $27,650 | 2,540 | |
| 4 | Paducah | $27,640 | 1,160 | |
| 5 | Elizabethtown | $27,260 | 1,330 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Owensboro run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $26,750 goes as far as $29,656 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,750as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,656US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,750 a year, 14.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,830 to $33,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,080 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Louisville/Jefferson County, at $28,690.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Owensboro, KY?
The median annual wage is $26,750, or $12.86 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 $31,200, so pay in Owensboro, KY is 14.3% 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 Owensboro, KY earns more than $33,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,830 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 $28,690 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,080 jobs in this occupation in Owensboro, 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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