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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Food Service Worker in Kentucky is $30,532 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $15.
However, a Food Service Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Food Service Worker Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $32,720 | $2,727 | $629 | $16 |
| Average | $30,532 | $2,544 | $587 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,124 | $2,344 | $541 | $14 |
Trinity Services Group - Marion, KY
Southern Foodservice Management Inc - Frankfort, KY
St. Andrews Retirement Community - Richmond, KY
Trice Healthcare - La Grange, KY
A Food Service Worker's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Food Service Workers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Food Service Worker roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 32% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Food Service Worker positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Food Service Worker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $36,027 | $17.0 | 18% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $35,111 | $17.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $34,195 | $16.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $33,585 | $16.0 | 10% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $32,974 | $16.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Food Service Worker's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $32,720 | $2,727 | $629 | $16 |
| Average | $30,532 | $2,544 | $587 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,124 | $2,344 | $541 | $14 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Food Service Worker job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Baptist Health
Corbin, KY
Baptist Health | Corbin, KY
Food Service Worker. Food, and Nutrition Services goals are to provide a variety of nutritional, safe, attractive, healthy food choices to patients, visito... more
3 Days Ago
AVI Foodsystems
Erlanger, KY
AVI Foodsystems | Erlanger, KY
Food Service Worker. AVI Foodsystems is looking for an energetic and optimistic team member to fill the role of Food Service Worker. This position is Sunda... more
3 Days Ago
Baptist Health
Lexington, KY
Baptist Health | Lexington, KY
Food Service Worker. Full-Time, Days. The Hospital Food Service Unit plays a vital role in providing nutritious and well-balanced meals for patients, visit... more
4 Days Ago
Encompass Health
Lexington, KY
Encompass Health | Lexington, KY
Food Service Worker. Salary Min $16.00 Salary Max $22.07 Pay Basis Hourly Compensation is determined based on experience and applicable certifications. Des... more
4 Days Ago
Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville
Madisonville, KY
Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville | Madisonville, KY
Job Details. Performs cafeteria functions in the Food & Nutrition department including grill, cashier, hot counter, cold counter, table cleaning, stocking,... more
4 Days Ago
SSP
Francisville, KY
SSP | Francisville, KY
$17.50 / hour Plus Tips (Average $21 to $25 an hour) Premium Shift Pay for Opening Shift Extra $2 per hour Health & Prescription, Dental, Vision, and Life ... more
4 Days Ago
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