Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Kentucky
Chefs and Head Cooks in Kentucky earn a median of $48,070 a year, −23% compared with the U.S. median.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay
- $48,070
- vs. U.S. median
- −23% ($62,470)
- Rank among states
- 48 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 1,790
Pay range in Kentucky
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,550; the top 10% earn over $88,410. Nationally the range is $37,900 to $98,560.
States ranked near Kentucky
Similar jobs in Kentucky
- Food Service Managers$70,410 median in Kentucky
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,810 median in Kentucky
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$45,860 median in Kentucky
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$31,550 median in Kentucky
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$35,430 median in Kentucky
- Cooks, Restaurant$34,640 median in Kentucky
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Kentucky
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Kentucky?
The median is $48,070 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,550 and the top 10% earn over $88,410. BLS OEWS May 2025.
Is Kentucky a good state for chefs and head cooks?
On pay alone it ranks 48 of 51 (−23% vs. the national median of $62,470). Living costs are not included.