Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$35,700$17.16 per hour · $2,975 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant 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.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (KY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $12.26/hr | $2,125 | $25,500 | $21,834 |
| 25th Percentile | $14.28/hr | $2,475 | $29,700 | $25,122 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $17.16/hr | $2,975 | $35,700 | $29,733 |
| 75th Percentile | $18.41/hr | $3,192 | $38,300 | $31,731 |
| 90th Percentile | $21.68/hr | $3,758 | $45,100 | $36,957 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lexington-Fayette, KY
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$35,700 measures up against local economic conditions:
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Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Kentucky:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Lexington-Fayette, KY
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $35,700, which equates to approximately $2,975 per month or $17.16 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $17.16 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.26/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.68/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Lexington-Fayette, KY span from $25,500 at the 10th percentile to $29,700 at the 25th, $38,300 at the 75th, and $45,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
On a median gross salary of $35,700, an estimated $29,733 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,144 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kentucky in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,967 (an effective rate of 16.7%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
On the median annual salary of $35,700, gross monthly income is $2,975. After federal, FICA, and Kentucky state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,478 per month (or $1,144 every two weeks).
Is $35,700 a good salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
At $35,700, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 49.6% 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.