Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$26,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$12.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-23% vs US median
US median $33,980
State Rank
#45 of 51
3,350 employed here

How much do Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers make in Kentucky?

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $26,330 per year, or about $12.66 per hour. That is 23% below the national median of $33,980 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $15,870 while the top 10% make $37,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $20,640 and $30,780 a year.

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$15,870$7.63
25th percentile (early career)$20,640$9.92
50th percentile (median)$26,330$12.66
75th percentile (experienced)$30,780$14.80
90th percentile (top earners)$37,330$17.95

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$51,200
2Washington$41,420
3District of Columbia$39,080
4Maine$38,560
5Maryland$37,020

Working as Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in Kentucky

Nationally, about 543,000 people work as Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($26,330) 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 Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers make in Kentucky?
The median Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers salary in Kentucky is $26,330 per year, or about $12.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $15,870 at the entry level to $37,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers about 23% less than the national median of $33,980. Kentucky ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $26,330 a year. About 3,350 Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers 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 Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers 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.