Lexington-Fayette, KY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY

In the Lexington-Fayette, KY metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $27,700 ($13.32/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,500/year and the 90th was $39,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kentucky tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $23,569 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$27,700$13.32 per hour · $2,308 monthly
10th Percentile$21,500$10.34/hr base
25th Percentile$23,500$11.30/hr base
75th Percentile$34,900$16.78/hr base
90th Percentile$39,000$18.75/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

$27,700
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$27,700
Net 85%
Fed 4%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$23,569After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,964Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$907Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,160 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$852 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,119 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Lexington-Fayette, 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KY)
10th Percentile$10.34/hr$1,792$21,500$18,680
25th Percentile$11.30/hr$1,958$23,500$20,257
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.32/hr$2,308$27,700$23,569
75th Percentile$16.78/hr$2,908$34,900$29,118
90th Percentile$18.75/hr$3,250$39,000$32,269

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lexington-Fayette, KY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$27,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$71,966Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.97.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.5%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 Lexington-Fayette, KY

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $27,700, which equates to approximately $2,308 per month or $13.32 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $13.32 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.34/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.75/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Lexington-Fayette, KY span from $21,500 at the 10th percentile to $23,500 at the 25th, $34,900 at the 75th, and $39,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

On a median gross salary of $27,700, an estimated $23,569 lands in net take-home pay per year ($907 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kentucky in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,131 (an effective rate of 14.9%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

On the median annual salary of $27,700, gross monthly income is $2,308. After federal, FICA, and Kentucky state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,964 per month (or $907 every two weeks).

Is $27,700 a good salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

At $27,700, the median salary for food preparation workers is 38.5% of the Lexington-Fayette, KY median household income ($71,966). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.9, making regional consumer goods and services 7.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.