Average salary in Kentucky
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
The average salary in Kentucky is $58,990 a year and the median is $46,920, across 2,000,360 jobs (BLS May 2025). Kentucky ranks #44 of 51 for average pay.
| Average (mean) salary | $58,990 |
| Median salary | $46,920 |
| Median hourly wage | $22.56 |
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $27,970 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $98,380 |
| Take-home on the average salary (single, 2026) | $47,631 |
Highest-paying jobs in Kentucky
- Airline Pilot: $350,950
- Physician: $327,390
- Family Medicine Physician: $248,730
- Chief Executive: $179,530
- Architectural and Engineering Manager: $147,680
- Computer and Information Systems Manager: $140,360
- Pharmacist: $136,530
- Dentist: $134,160
- Financial Manager: $130,650
- Marketing Manager: $128,930
- Sales Manager: $128,650
- Natural Sciences Manager: $126,440
- Purchasing Manager: $124,350
- Manager: $122,930
- Nurse Practitioner: $122,870
- Human Resources Manager: $121,460
- Physician Assistant: $120,760
- Education Administrator: $114,310
- Industrial Production Manager: $112,250
- Software Engineer: $109,010
Most common jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Employed | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Laborer and Freight | 57,930 | $42,770 |
| General and Operations Manager | 52,100 | $79,370 |
| Retail Salesperson | 51,250 | $29,650 |
| Registered Nurse | 50,300 | $81,040 |
| Stocker and Order Filler | 47,730 | $36,810 |
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | 47,320 | $47,950 |
| Cashier | 44,550 | $28,590 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | 41,860 | $27,130 |
| Customer Service Representative | 38,630 | $38,700 |
| Truck Driver | 31,760 | $56,340 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | 31,260 | $36,440 |
| Office Clerk | 29,750 | $37,870 |
| Waiter and Waitress | 27,150 | $29,660 |
| Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant | 26,430 | $38,750 |
| Janitor and Cleaner | 25,750 | $32,320 |
Estimate your own paycheck with the Kentucky paycheck calculator.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all occupations). Highest-paying list covers the 300 largest occupations nationally.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in Kentucky?
$58,990 a year (mean of all jobs), with a median of $46,920 ($22.56/hour), per BLS May 2025. Kentucky ranks #44 of 51.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
Airline Pilot ($350,950), Physician ($327,390), Family Medicine Physician ($248,730), among the 300 most common occupations.
What is a good salary in Kentucky?
Earning more than the median of $46,920 puts you above half of Kentucky workers; the top 10% earn over $98,380.