Hospitality & Tourism Owensboro, KY Pop. 60,183

Sommelier Salary in Owensboro, Kentucky

The median sommelier salary in Owensboro, KY is $50,840 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 5.7% below the Kentucky state average.

City Median
$50,840
vs State Avg
$-3,100
vs National
$-11,160
Cost of Living
82%

Sommelier Pay in Owensboro: What to Expect (2026)

Owensboro offers a median sommelier salary of $50,840, which is $3,100 below the Kentucky state average of $53,940. Compared to the national median of $62,000, Owensboro pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Owensboro's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $50,840 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $62,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Owensboro an attractive option for sommeliers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for sommeliers in Owensboro spans from $26,240 at the 10th percentile to $102,500 at the 90th percentile — a $76,260 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,700, while senior sommeliers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $96,760. Owensboro is a smaller market (pop. 60,183), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Sommelier Salary in Owensboro by Experience

In Owensboro, an entry-level sommelier earns around $28,700, while experienced professionals earn up to $96,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,700
$-6,300 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$53,300
$-11,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$96,760
$-21,240 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Owensboro, KY

Percentile Owensboro
10th Percentile $26,240
25th Percentile $36,080
Median (50th) $50,840
75th Percentile $75,440
90th Percentile $102,500

Sommelier Salary in Other Kentucky Cities

Lexington, KY
$57,660
Pop. 322,570
Louisville, KY
$57,040
Pop. 633,045
Covington, KY
$54,560
Pop. 40,961
Bowling Green, KY
$52,080
Pop. 74,735

How to Become a Sommelier in Owensboro

Education

Most sommelier positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Owensboro and the surrounding Kentucky area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Wine KnowledgeTastingFood PairingInventory ManagementCustomer ServiceSommelier Certification

Job Outlook

Nationally, sommelier employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Owensboro may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Sommelier Jobs in Owensboro

Browse open sommelier positions in Owensboro, KY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Sommelier Salary in Owensboro

How much does a Sommelier make in Owensboro, KY? ▼
The median sommelier salary in Owensboro, Kentucky is $50,840 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $62,000. Salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $102,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Sommelier make per hour in Owensboro? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $50,840, a sommelier in Owensboro earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Owensboro compare to the Kentucky state average for sommelier pay? ▼
Owensboro's median sommelier salary of $50,840 is 5.7% below the Kentucky state average of $53,940. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Owensboro, KY? ▼
Owensboro has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a sommelier salary of $50,840 in Owensboro has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a sommelier in Owensboro? ▼
Most sommelier positions in Owensboro require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Wine Knowledge, Tasting, Food Pairing, Inventory Management. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.