Advertisement
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria average salary by city in Kentucky
- Paducah$38,610
- Louisville$38,550
- Lexington$37,830
- Bowling Green$32,360
- Elizabethtown$32,120
- Owensboro$31,320
Pay, take-home pay and cost of living
| City | Average | Median | 25th pct. | Take-home* | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paducah | $38,610 | $35,310 | $29,910 | $31,197 | 86 |
| Louisville | $38,550 | $37,370 | $34,040 | $31,075 | 93 |
| Lexington | $37,830 | $36,470 | $33,740 | $30,330 | 93 |
| Bowling Green | $32,360 | $31,550 | $30,850 | $26,519 | 90 |
| Elizabethtown | $32,120 | $30,260 | $30,150 | $26,355 | 91 |
| Owensboro | $31,320 | $30,170 | $29,880 | $25,810 | 89 |
*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; includes Paducah's local income tax (2%). Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other states
More about pay in Kentucky
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2012.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.