Food Preparation Workers salary
in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area
- Middle 50%
- $21,430–$28,210
- vs U.S. median
- -34%
- Metro rank
- #474 of 496
Food Preparation Workers in the South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area metro earn a median of $23,370 a year, based on BLS estimates for 1,210 jobs (May 2025). That is 34% below the U.S. median of $35,320 and 13% below the KY statewide median of $26,850. It ranks #474 of 496 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE1,210 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Food Preparation Workers pay in other KY metros
8 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $29,640 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $27,340 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $27,210 |
| Owensboro, KY | $27,130 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $26,410 |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $24,960 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $23,600 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $22,990 |
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RELATED JOBS IN SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY NONMETROPOLITAN AREA
Questions
What is the average Food Preparation Workers salary in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area?
The BLS median is $23,370 a year (May 2025). Half of the 1,210 jobs pay between $21,430 and $28,210. The 10th percentile is $20,440 and the 90th is $34,190.
Is South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area a high-paying metro for Food Preparation Workers?
That is 34% below the U.S. median of $35,320 and 13% below the KY statewide median of $26,850. It ranks #474 of 496 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Food Preparation Workers make an hour in South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area?
About $11.24 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $23,370 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $10.30–$13.56 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.