Bowling Green, KY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Bowling Green, KY

In the Bowling Green, KY metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $26,900 ($12.93/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $20,900/year and the 90th was $37,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kentucky tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $22,938 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 90.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$26,900$12.93 per hour · $2,242 monthly
10th Percentile$20,900$10.05/hr base
25th Percentile$22,800$10.96/hr base
75th Percentile$33,900$16.30/hr base
90th Percentile$37,800$18.17/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$26,900
$15,000$55,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$26,900
Net 85%
Fed 4%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$22,938After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,912Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$882Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,080 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$824 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,058 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Bowling Green, KY

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Bowling Green, KY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KY)
10th Percentile$10.05/hr$1,742$20,900$18,269
25th Percentile$10.96/hr$1,900$22,800$19,705
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$12.93/hr$2,242$26,900$22,938
75th Percentile$16.30/hr$2,825$33,900$28,350
90th Percentile$18.17/hr$3,150$37,800$31,347

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Bowling Green, KY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$26,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$63,328Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index90.29.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.5%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Kentucky:

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Bowling Green, KY

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Bowling Green, KY?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Bowling Green, KY is $26,900, which equates to approximately $2,242 per month or $12.93 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Bowling Green, KY?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Bowling Green, KY is $12.93 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.05/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.17/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Bowling Green, KY?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Bowling Green, KY span from $20,900 at the 10th percentile to $22,800 at the 25th, $33,900 at the 75th, and $37,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Bowling Green, KY?

On a median gross salary of $26,900, an estimated $22,938 lands in net take-home pay per year ($882 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kentucky in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,962 (an effective rate of 14.7%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Bowling Green, KY?

On the median annual salary of $26,900, gross monthly income is $2,242. After federal, FICA, and Kentucky state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,912 per month (or $882 every two weeks).

Is $26,900 a good salary in Bowling Green, KY?

At $26,900, the median salary for food preparation workers is 42.5% of the Bowling Green, KY median household income ($63,328). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 90.2, making regional consumer goods and services 9.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.