CDCareer Decision

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in KY

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Chefs and Head Cooks in KY have a median annual salary of $48,070, with 1,790 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $31,550 at the 10th percentile to $88,410 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$48,070

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$23.11

Employment

1,790

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$31,550
10th
$36,850
25th
$48,070
Median
$66,770
75th
$88,410
90th

Local compared with national

KY

$48,070

Median annual · 2025

United States

$62,470

Median annual · 2025

The KY median is 23.1% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $14,400).

Top skills

  1. 1.CoordinationImportance 4.1
  2. 2.MonitoringImportance 4.0
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 3.9
  4. 4.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.9
  5. 5.Time ManagementImportance 3.9
  6. 6.Management of Personnel ResourcesImportance 3.9
  7. 7.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.8
  8. 8.Service OrientationImportance 3.8
  9. 9.Active ListeningImportance 3.6
  10. 10.InstructingImportance 3.6
  11. 11.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.6
  12. 12.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.5

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • ADP eTIME
  • Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
  • Barrington Software CookenPro Commercial
  • CostGuard
  • Culinary Software Services ChefTec
  • Delphi Technology
  • EGS CALCMENU
  • Email software
  • Enggist & Grandjean EGS F&B Control
  • Facebook
  • GNOME Gnutrition
  • Google Sheets
  • GroupMe
  • IPro Restaurant Inventory, Recipe & Menu Software
  • Menu planning software

Common tasks

  • Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.
  • Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
  • Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
  • Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.
  • Order or requisition food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.
  • Inspect supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards.
  • Check the quantity and quality of received products.
  • Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
  • Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies, such as food and ingredients.
  • Coordinate planning, budgeting, or purchasing for all the food operations within establishments such as clubs, hotels, or restaurant chains.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other locations

Other occupations in KY