Quick answer
Food Preparation Workers in Kentucky earned a median of $26,850 a year ($12.91 an hour) in May 2025, 24% below the national median of $35,320; 15,390 were employed there, ranking #50 of 54 states and territories by median pay, per BLS OEWS.
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| Measure | Kentucky | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $26,850 | $35,320 |
| Mean annual wage | $28,760 | $35,290 |
| Median hourly wage | $12.91 | $16.98 |
| 10th percentile | $20,900 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $22,790 | $29,950 |
| 75th percentile | $33,890 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $37,830 | $45,340 |
| Employment | 15,390 | 893,600 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 7.695 | — |
| Location quotient | 1.34 | 1.00 |
Related
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- Food Preparation Workers salary in Maine (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Maryland (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Massachusetts (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Michigan (May 2025)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.