SOC 35-9031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — Owensboro
Owensboro, KY · 5 metro areas compared
In Owensboro, KY the median wage is $24,050.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Owensboro, KY the median wage is $24,050. That is 22.9% lower than the national median of $31,200. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $22,020 and $28,010. The lowest tenth earn under $20,520, while the highest tenth earn more than $30,970.
The area has 150 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.08 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Lexington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $27,920. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 194th of 197 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,520 | −34.2% |
| 25th | $22,020 | −29.4% |
| Median (50th) | $24,050 | −22.9% |
| 75th | $28,010 | −10.2% |
| 90th | $30,970 | −0.7% |
| Mean | $25,550 | −18.1% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $27,920 | 910 | |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $27,590 | 1,990 | |
| 3 | Paducah | $26,440 | 190 | |
| 4 | Elizabethtown | $25,370 | 140 | |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $24,500 | 280 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Owensboro run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $24,050 goes as far as $26,663 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$24,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$26,663US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $24,050 a year, 22.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $20,520 to $30,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lexington, at $27,920.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Owensboro, KY?
The median annual wage is $24,050, or $11.56 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 22.9% 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 $30,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $20,520 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 $27,920 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 150 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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