How Much Do Chefs and Head Cooks Make in Kentucky?
Median wage from BLS May 2025 — and the after-tax number the salary sites skip. Tax year 2026.
Quick answer
According to payandtaxes.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data and 2026 tax law, the median Chefs and Head Cooks in Kentucky earns $48,070 per year and takes home $39,239 ($3,270/month) — a keep-rate of 81.6%, with 1,790 employed in the state.
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| Gross pay | $4,005.83 |
| Federal income tax | $299.03 |
| Social Security | $248.36 |
| Medicare | $58.09 |
| Kentucky state income tax | $130.40 |
| You keep | $3,269.95 |
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Kentucky?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks in Kentucky earns $48,070 per year (BLS May 2025), about $23.11 per hour.
What is that after taxes?
$48,070 gross in Kentucky keeps $39,239 after federal income tax ($3,588), FICA ($3,677) and state income tax ($1,565) — $3,270 per month, a 81.6% keep-rate.
How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Chefs and Head Cooks?
The Kentucky median is $14,400 below the national median of $62,470.
Which state pays Chefs and Head Cooks the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median gross for Chefs and Head Cooks at $79,930 — but compare take-home, not gross: state taxes change the order.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in every state · Kentucky paycheck calculator · Kentucky minimum wage