SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — South Central Kentucky
South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay in South Central Kentucky, KY is $22,320 a year, 28.5% under the national median of $31,200 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in South Central Kentucky, KY is $22,320 a year, 28.5% under the national median of $31,200 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $21,660 and $26,970. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $18,180 and the ninetieth at $28,300.
The area has 3,770 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 21.9 of every thousand jobs. Louisville/Jefferson County leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $28,690. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 362nd of 365 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18,180 | −41.7% |
| 25th | $21,660 | −30.6% |
| Median (50th) | $22,320 | −28.5% |
| 75th | $26,970 | −13.6% |
| 90th | $28,300 | −9.3% |
| Mean | $23,960 | −23.2% |
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 | |
| 6 | Owensboro | $26,750 | 1,080 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Central Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $22,320 goes as far as $24,745 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$22,320as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$24,745US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $22,320 a year, 28.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $18,180 to $28,300 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,770 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 South Central Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $22,320, or $10.73 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 South Central Kentucky, KY is 28.5% 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 South Central Kentucky, KY earns more than $28,300 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $18,180 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 3,770 jobs in this occupation in South 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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