Chef Salary in Kentucky (2026)
$23.11 per hour · take-home ≈ $39,122/year ($3,260/month) for a single filer
Kentucky ranks 48th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 24% below the national average. Of the 1,790 Chef jobs BLS counts in Kentucky, the typical worker earns $48,070 a year — though pay ranges from $31,550 for newcomers to $88,410 at the top.
Chef pay range in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $31,550 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $36,850 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $48,070 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $66,770 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $88,410 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,790 Chef jobs in Kentucky (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Kentucky
A median Chef salary of $48,070 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Kentucky state income tax, a single filer keeps about $39,122 — an effective tax rate of 18.6%.
| Gross (median) | $48,070 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,588 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,677 |
| Kentucky state income tax | −$1,682 |
| Take-home (annual) | $39,122 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,260 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Kentucky paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Kentucky?
- The median Chef salary in Kentucky is $48,070 per year ($23.11 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $36,850 and $66,770.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Kentucky?
- On the median salary of $48,070, a single filer in Kentucky takes home about $39,122 per year ($3,260 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.6%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Kentucky?
- BLS counts 1,790 Chef jobs in Kentucky in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Kentucky
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Kentucky state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Kentucky.