SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — South Central Kentucky
South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay in South Central Kentucky, KY is $23,370 a year, 33.8% under the national median of $35,320 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in South Central Kentucky, KY is $23,370 a year, 33.8% under the national median of $35,320 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $21,430 and $28,210. The lowest tenth earn under $20,440, while the highest tenth earn more than $34,190.
The area has 1,210 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 7.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Louisville/Jefferson County records the highest median at $29,640. Of the 365 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 357th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,440 | −42.1% |
| 25th | $21,430 | −39.3% |
| Median (50th) | $23,370 | −33.8% |
| 75th | $28,210 | −20.1% |
| 90th | $34,190 | −3.2% |
| Mean | $25,700 | −27.2% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $29,640 | 4,910 | |
| 2 | Lexington | $27,340 | 2,310 | |
| 3 | Paducah | $27,210 | 480 | |
| 4 | Owensboro | $27,130 | 460 | |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $26,410 | 660 | |
| 6 | Elizabethtown | $23,600 | 490 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Central Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $23,370 goes as far as $25,909 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 26.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$23,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$25,909US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $23,370 a year, 33.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $20,440 to $34,190 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,210 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Louisville/Jefferson County, at $29,640.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in South Central Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $23,370, or $11.23 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 $35,320, so pay in South Central Kentucky, KY is 33.8% 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 $34,190 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $20,440 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 $29,640 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,210 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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