Chef and Head Cook Salary in Kentucky
Median annual pay in Kentucky
$48,070
$23.11/hour
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Adjusted for cost of living in Kentucky
$53,317
Regional Price Parity: 90.159 (U.S. = 100)
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Difference from the U.S. median ($62,470): −$14,400 (−23.1%)
Kentucky ranks 48th of 51 states by median pay, and 48th of 51 after adjusting for cost of living.
Pay
| Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,550 | $15.17 |
| 25th percentile | $36,850 | $17.71 |
| Median | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| 75th percentile | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| 90th percentile | $88,410 | $42.50 |
Employment
- Employment in Kentucky
- 1,790
Advertisements
Comparison
Compared with the U.S.
- Median annual pay in Kentucky
- $48,070
- Median annual pay in the U.S.
- $62,470
- Difference
- −$14,400 (−23.1%)
Cost of living
$48,070 ÷ 90.159 × 100 = $53,317
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ranking
| Rank | Median annual pay | Adjusted for cost of living (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | ||
| 46th | $52,000 | $54,454 47th |
| South Dakota | ||
| 47th | $48,470 | $54,715 45th |
| Kentucky This page | ||
| 48th | $48,070 | $53,317 48th |
| Iowa | ||
| 49th | $47,990 | $54,682 46th |
| Arkansas | ||
| 50th | $46,170 | $53,107 49th |
Similar occupations
Related occupations from O*NET, in O*NET's order, with their BLS median pay. Each figure shows the place it is for.
- Baker salary in the U.S.
$37,160/year U.S.
- Food Service Manager salary in the U.S.
$69,390/year U.S.
- Waiter and Waitress salary in the U.S.
$35,230/year U.S.
- Dietetic Technician salary in the U.S.
$37,640/year U.S.
- Food Preparation Worker salary in the U.S.
$35,320/year U.S.
- Fast Food and Counter Worker salary in the U.S.
$31,200/year U.S.
Outlook
- Projected employment change, 2025–35 (U.S.)
- +6.6%
- Typical education needed for entry (U.S.)
- High school diploma or equivalent
BLS publishes employment projections only for the U.S. as a whole. BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
Advertisements
Chef and Head Cook salary in nearby places
- Chef and Head Cook salary in Illinois
$58,830/year Illinois
- Chef and Head Cook salary in Indiana
$52,190/year Indiana
- Chef and Head Cook salary in Missouri
$64,480/year Missouri
- Chef and Head Cook salary in Ohio
$53,990/year Ohio
- Chef and Head Cook salary in Tennessee
$69,810/year Tennessee
- Chef and Head Cook salary in Virginia
$63,270/year Virginia
- Chef and Head Cook salary in West Virginia
$61,100/year West Virginia
- Chef and Head Cook salary in the U.S.
$62,470/year U.S.
Sources and update
- Wages and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
- Related occupations: O*NET® 31.0 Database, CC BY 4.0. Attributions
- Employment projections and typical education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Neighboring states: U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File, 2024.
Last updated