Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay range in Bowling Green
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,870 a year or less, while the top 10% make $38,400 or more. The middle half of food servers, nonrestaurant in Bowling Green earn between $26,300 and $36,820.
- $24K10th
- $26K25th
- $34KMedian
- $37K75th
- $38K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $32,020 | $2,668 | $15.39 |
| Median | $34,040 | $2,837 | $16.37 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $26,300 | $2,192 | $12.64 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $36,820 | $3,068 | $17.70 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant pay in Bowling Green vs. Kentucky and the U.S.
Food servers, nonrestaurant in Bowling Green earn about the same as the Kentucky average ($32,750) and 11% less than the U.S. average ($36,140). At the median the gap is -4% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $32,020 | $34,040 | $23,870 | $38,400 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $32,750 | $32,200 | $25,790 | $42,060 | 3,660 |
| United States | $36,140 | $35,360 | $28,030 | $46,120 | 293,900 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary after taxes in Bowling Green
On the average salary of $32,020, a single filer in Bowling Green takes home about $26,265 a year, or $2,189 a month and $1,010 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Bowling Green's local income tax (2%).
Is Bowling Green a good place for food servers, nonrestaurant? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Bowling Green area are 10% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.2), so the average $32,020 buys what about $35,507 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Bowling Green ($45,040). A typical home costs $267,047, or 8.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in other Kentucky cities
Bowling Green ranks 2nd of 4 Kentucky metro areas for this job; Louisville pays the most ($33,290).
- Louisville$33,290
- Bowling Green$32,020
- Owensboro$30,950
- Lexington$30,900
Highest-paying cities for food servers, nonrestaurant
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($59,020).
- Kahului, HI$59,020
- San Jose, CA$50,590
- San Francisco, CA$48,600
- Napa, CA$48,550
- Vallejo, CA$46,710
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in Bowling Green: questions
How much do food servers, nonrestaurant make an hour in Bowling Green?
$15.40 an hour on average, and $16.37 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food servers, nonrestaurant salary in Bowling Green?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $23,870 a year and the 25th percentile is $26,300, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food servers, nonrestaurant take-home pay in Bowling Green?
About $26,265 a year ($2,189 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $32,020. Includes Bowling Green's local income tax (2%).
Do food servers, nonrestaurant earn more in Bowling Green than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% less than the U.S. average for this job ($36,140).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-3041; area Bowling Green, KY (14540). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Bowling Green's local income tax (2%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.68, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.68).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.