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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in Kentucky for 2026
Reflecting on my high school days, I remember my first job at a local movie theater, earning minimum wage while enjoying free popcorn and movies. Back then, I was thrilled with my $5.86/hr pay, but today, it’s hard to fathom living on such a low wage.
This nostalgic moment made me curious: who are the individuals earning the least in Kentucky today?
To answer this question, we analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to uncover the lowest paying jobs in the state.
Our research indicates that Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, including fast food employees, are currently the lowest paid workers in Kentucky.
Here’s a breakdown of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Kentucky:
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Waiters and Waitresses
- Bartenders
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks
- Cashiers
For additional insights into the earnings of the lowest paying jobs, continue reading or explore more about Kentucky’s job market:
- Best Companies to Work For in Louisville
- These Are The 10 Best Places In Kentucky To Get A Job
- These Are The 10 Best Jobs In Kentucky For Recent College Grads
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Kentucky
We analyzed the BLS’s dataset for all job classifications in Kentucky to identify those with the lowest wages.
We will continue to update this data annually as new figures become available from the BLS. The latest data is from May 2026.
For further reading, check out:
- These Are The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In Kentucky
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Kentucky
- These Are The 100 Largest Companies In Kentucky
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Kentucky
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $19,150 |
| 2 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers | $19,320 |
| 3 | Waiters And Waitresses | $19,450 |
| 4 | Bartenders | $19,530 |
| 5 | Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop | $19,610 |
| 6 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, And Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $19,620 |
| 7 | Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers | $20,020 |
| 8 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop | $20,150 |
| 9 | Hotel, Motel, And Resort Desk Clerks | $20,190 |
| 10 | Cashiers | $20,420 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
