Official data: IRS · SSA · state revenue codes Tax year 2026 · Updated 2026-07-26
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How Much Do Cooks, Restaurant 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 Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky earns $34,640 per year and takes home $28,918 ($2,410/month) — a keep-rate of 83.5%, with 13,510 employed in the state.

The paycheck, itemizedmedian Cooks, Restaurant · single filer

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Pay statement · monthly
Kentucky
$34,640 / yr
Gross pay$2,886.67
Federal income tax$164.73
Social Security$178.97
Medicare$41.86
Kentucky state income tax$91.23
You keep$2,409.87
83.5% of gross keptIRS 2026 tables
Questions
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in Kentucky?

The median Cooks, Restaurant in Kentucky earns $34,640 per year (BLS May 2025), about $16.65 per hour.

What is that after taxes?

$34,640 gross in Kentucky keeps $28,918 after federal income tax ($1,977), FICA ($2,650) and state income tax ($1,095) — $2,410 per month, a 83.5% keep-rate.

How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Cooks, Restaurant?

The Kentucky median is $2,750 below the national median of $37,390.

Which state pays Cooks, Restaurant the most?

Washington has the highest median gross for Cooks, Restaurant at $46,800 — but compare take-home, not gross: state taxes change the order.

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Cooks, Restaurant salary in every state · Kentucky paycheck calculator · Kentucky minimum wage