Kentucky ranks 39th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, short order pay, trailing top-paying Arizona ($46,240) by $17,120 — a 59% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $22,260 to $42,300 — a $20,040 spread, 10% tighter than the national $22,240 range.
Cooks, Short Order are less concentrated in Kentucky than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.52 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.92× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| 25th percentile | $24,450 | $11.76 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| 75th percentile | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,300 | $20.34 |
| Mean (average) | $31,440 | $15.11 |
How Kentucky Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (current) | $29,120 | n/a |
| Arizona | $46,240 | +59% |
| Washington | $46,010 | +58% |
| Massachusetts | $44,770 | +54% |
| Colorado | $44,090 | +51% |
| Hawaii | $41,100 | +41% |
| Alaska | $39,940 | +37% |
| Vermont | $39,140 | +34% |
| California | $39,010 | +34% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Kentucky
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $29,100 | 370 |
| Sewing Machine Operators | $29,040 | 3,270 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,220 | 15,580 |
| Animal Caretakers | $29,370 | 6,980 |
| Residential Advisors | $28,800 | 1,870 |
| Retail Salespersons | $29,450 | 47,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Short Order salary in Kentucky?
The mean cooks, short order salary in Kentucky is $31,440 per year. The median (middle) salary is $29,120 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Short Order in Kentucky?
Entry-level cooks, short orders (10th percentile) in Kentucky typically earn around $22,260 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $24,450 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Short Order salary in Kentucky?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Kentucky make approximately $42,300 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $37,850 per year.
How does the Kentucky Cooks, Short Order salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, short order salary in Kentucky is $29,120, which is -18% below national average of $35,620.