Kentucky Median
$31,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$15.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $37,450
State Rank
#45 of 51
11,540 employed here
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Kentucky?
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky take home a median of $31,550 annually — roughly $15.17 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $37,450.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $25,580 while the top 10% make $45,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,880 and $37,370 a year.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,580 | $12.30 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,880 | $13.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $31,550 | $15.17 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $37,370 | $17.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,720 | $21.98 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other states
Washington $49,670Alaska $48,580Massachusetts $47,790Hawaii $47,770Rhode Island $46,570California $46,390Vermont $46,370Connecticut $46,120New York $45,880District of Columbia $45,450New Hampshire $45,370New Jersey $44,520Oregon $44,520Delaware $44,080Maine $43,490Minnesota $43,460Colorado $42,500Maryland $41,380Arizona $39,660North Dakota $39,490Nevada $39,430Wisconsin $38,650Utah $38,200Virginia $37,890Illinois $37,440Montana $37,150Wyoming $36,940Michigan $36,870South Dakota $36,730Ohio $36,720Pennsylvania $36,540New Mexico $36,470Nebraska $36,390Florida $36,250North Carolina $36,140Indiana $35,980Iowa $35,810Idaho $35,600Tennessee $35,570Texas $35,360Georgia $35,090South Carolina $34,960Missouri $34,900Kansas $31,950Arkansas $30,240West Virginia $29,740Oklahoma $29,270Mississippi $27,390Alabama $27,120Louisiana $25,490
Working as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Kentucky
Nationally, about 441,000 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($31,550) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Kentucky?
The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Kentucky is $31,550 per year, or about $15.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $25,580 at the entry level to $45,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria about 16% less than the national median of $37,450. Kentucky ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $31,550 a year. About 11,540 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.