Software Engineer salary in Kentucky
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A Software Engineer in Kentucky earns a median of $109,010 a year ($52.41/hour equivalent), 19.8% below the national median of $135,980. Kentucky ranks #44 of 50 states. About 7,660 people do this job in Kentucky.
Take-home pay in Kentucky
At the Kentucky median, a single filer keeps about $81,821 a year after federal, FICA and Kentucky taxes — $3,147 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the Kentucky paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $4,192.69
- Federal income tax
- −$582.78
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$259.95
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$60.79
- Kentucky income tax
- −$142.22
- Take-home pay
- $3,146.95
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $109,010
- Federal
- $15,152
- FICA
- $8,339
- State + local
- $3,698
- Net
- $81,821
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 3.5%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How Kentucky compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $174,410 |
| #2 | Washington | $166,540 |
| #3 | New York | $166,180 |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| #5 | Oregon | $142,720 |
| #44 | Kentucky | $109,010 |
| #48 | Louisiana | $102,800 |
| #49 | South Dakota | $96,310 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $95,330 |
See the national Software Engineer salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Software Developers (SOC 15-1252), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Software Engineer make in Kentucky?
The median salary is $109,010 a year and the average is $120,730 (BLS May 2025).
Is Kentucky a good state for software developers?
Kentucky ranks #44 of 50 states for median pay in this job, 20% below the national median of $135,980.
What is $109,010 after taxes in Kentucky?
About $81,821 a year ($3,147 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.