Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Louisville, KY
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median $37,370 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,016 take-home, or $2,585 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Louisville, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,304
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,317
- Medicare (1.45%)$542
- Kentucky income tax$1,190
- Take-home pay$31,016
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
The Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro spans Kentucky, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay by experience in Louisville, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,710 | $14.28 | $25,130 | $2,094 |
| 25th percentile | $34,040 | $16.37 | $28,457 | $2,371 |
| Median (50th) | $37,370 | $17.97 | $31,016 | $2,585 |
| 75th percentile | $44,690 | $21.49 | $36,642 | $3,053 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,670 | $22.44 | $38,163 | $3,180 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,370 buys in Louisville, KY
Prices in Louisville, KY are 6.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cooks, institution and cafeteria's $31,016 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,324 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Louisville, KY has 1.4× the national concentration of cooks, institution and cafeteria jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria, adjusted for cost of living
Louisville, KY ranks #17 of 37 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $51,530 | $43,584 | $39,218 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $51,880 | $42,029 | $38,062 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $48,530 | $38,967 | $35,992 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $45,070 | $37,119 | $35,090 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $44,830 | $36,621 | $34,936 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $49,140 | $40,027 | $34,622 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $47,100 | $38,537 | $34,443 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $44,470 | $36,565 | $34,352 |
| 17 | Louisville, KY | $37,370 | $31,016 | $33,324 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 37 metros →
About the job: cooks, institution and cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.8% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Louisville, KY?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $37,370 a year, or about $17.97 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,040 and $44,690.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Louisville, KY?
On the median $37,370 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $31,016 a year ($2,585 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,190 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Louisville, KY a good place to work as a cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $37,450. Local prices are 6.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,324 would in a typical U.S. city. Louisville, KY ranks #17 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria afford rent in Louisville, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Louisville, KY is $1,026 a month ($1,248 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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- Bartender — $29,120
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,690
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