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Salaries in Kentucky: pay for 712 occupations, May 2025

Across all occupations, employees in Kentucky had a median pay of $46,920 a year ($22.56 an hour) in May 2025, with 2,000,360 jobs counted. That is 8% below the national median of $50,980.

Highest median pay in Kentucky

Occupations with the most jobs

All occupations in Kentucky, A to Z

OccupationMedian a yearMedian an hourJobs
Accountants and Auditors$75,270$36.1911,930
Actorsnot published$18.8590
Actuaries$120,400$57.8970
Acupuncturists$85,130$40.9360
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders$52,140$25.07110
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$44,990$21.63350
Advertising Sales Agents$51,580$24.80620
Advertising and Promotions Managers$107,030$51.46230
Aerospace Engineers$126,130$60.64290
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletesnot publishednot published40
Agricultural Equipment Operators$42,000$20.19190
Agricultural Inspectors$46,640$22.42270
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$84,100not published200
Agricultural Technicians$59,860$28.78210
Agricultural Workers, All Other$39,970$19.2230
Air Traffic Controllers$127,800$61.44230
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$52,530$25.261,010
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$67,920$32.651,680
Aircraft Service Attendants$38,850$18.68400
Airfield Operations Specialists$123,290$59.27290
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$350,950not published6,260
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians$32,850$15.79130
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$27,210$13.083,190
Anesthesiologists$347,960$167.291,090
Animal Caretakers$30,720$14.776,140
Animal Control Workers$35,360$17.00190
Animal Scientistsnot publishednot published30
Animal Trainers$34,030$16.36470
Anthropologists and Archeologists$72,230$34.7370
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary$102,140not published60
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$97,680$46.96630
Architectural and Civil Drafters$60,120$28.91870
Architectural and Engineering Managers$147,680$71.001,800
Archivists$48,810$23.4740
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$74,690not published90
Art Directors$76,160$36.61320
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$64,440not published900
Artists and Related Workers, All Othernot publishednot published120
Athletes and Sports Competitors$63,020not publishednot published
Athletic Trainers$60,680not published720
Atmospheric and Space Scientists$103,240$49.63100
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$95,830not published40
Audio and Video Technicians$48,320$23.23600
Audiologists$92,520$44.4890
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers$48,380$23.26180
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$46,080$22.151,680
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers$45,980$22.10180
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$44,890$21.5811,140
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$31,410$15.101,220
Avionics Technicians$42,440$20.40not published
Baggage Porters and Bellhops$37,940$18.24260
Bailiffs$30,760$14.79760
Bakers$33,890$16.291,630
Bartenders$28,780$13.846,870
Bill and Account Collectors$48,330$23.241,740
Billing and Posting Clerks$45,590$21.925,200
Biochemists and Biophysicists$74,710$35.9240
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers$95,360$45.8580
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$70,630not published470
Biological Scientists, All Other$79,400$38.18260
Biological Technicians$48,910$23.52260
Boilermakers$74,810$35.97150
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$46,550$22.3823,480
Brickmasons and Blockmasons$59,820$28.76780
Bridge and Lock Tenders$58,220$27.99100
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$36,170$17.39340
Broadcast Technicians$40,240$19.35230
Brokerage Clerks$57,690$27.74not published
Budget Analysts$76,860$36.95630
Bus Drivers, School$44,830$21.556,820
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$54,550$26.222,570
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$55,480$26.673,890
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$74,690$35.915,870
Business Teachers, Postsecondary$80,140not published760
Butchers and Meat Cutters$35,430$17.031,670
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$65,240$31.365,440
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$40,440$19.44920
Calibration Technologists and Technicians$55,650$26.7590
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film$53,790$25.86170
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vesselsnot publishednot published1,060
Cardiologists$558,180$268.36not published
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$60,980$29.32940
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$61,080$29.371,560
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$61,130not published330
Cargo and Freight Agents$46,230$22.232,570
Carpenters$52,680$25.338,540
Carpet Installers$37,800$18.17130
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists$71,470$34.3690
Cashiers$28,590$13.7544,550
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$50,200$24.141,280
Chefs and Head Cooks$48,070$23.111,790
Chemical Engineers$117,170$56.33190
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$57,530$27.663,590
Chemical Plant and System Operators$97,550$46.9040
Chemical Technicians$60,830$29.25700
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary$82,550not published250
Chemists$84,090$40.43530
Chief Executives$179,530$86.312,070
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$59,100$28.428,470
Childcare Workers$28,920$13.905,820
Chiropractors$81,740$39.30470
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$59,710$28.711,860
Civil Engineers$100,930$48.532,690
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$73,840$35.503,670
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$34,470$16.575,580
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders$35,850$17.24310
Clergy$58,920$28.33410
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$60,880$29.274,860
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$99,140$47.66710
Coaches and Scouts$35,570not published2,800
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,170$22.682,190
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$53,490$25.72100
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$42,150$20.27190
Commercial Divers$63,550$30.55not published
Commercial Pilots$129,990not published800
Commercial and Industrial Designers$76,100$36.59420
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$62,380not published470
Community Health Workers$48,230$23.19980
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$58,150$27.96280
Compensation and Benefits Managers$114,290$54.95110
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$64,690$31.10670
Compliance Officers$69,240$33.294,360
Computer Hardware Engineers$116,200$55.86500
Computer Network Architects$103,740$49.871,710
Computer Network Support Specialistsnot publishednot published1,720
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$49,180$23.641,740
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$64,980$31.24230
Computer Occupations, All Other$89,420$42.991,850
Computer Programmers$94,850$45.60950
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$83,470not published310
Computer Systems Analysts$95,090$45.725,930
Computer User Support Specialists$57,850$27.819,460
Computer and Information Systems Managers$140,360$67.483,130
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$47,070$22.631,440
Concierges$31,390$15.09420
Conservation Scientists$71,980$34.61180
Construction Laborers$45,710$21.9813,280
Construction Managers$97,020$46.642,990
Construction and Building Inspectors$60,200$28.941,380
Continuous Mining Machine Operators$50,020$24.05390
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$61,450$29.54450
Conveyor Operators and Tenders$44,800$21.54780
Cooks, Fast Food$23,500$11.3021,750
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$31,550$15.1711,540
Cooks, Restaurant$34,640$16.6513,510
Cooks, Short Order$31,840$15.31650
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders$40,840$19.6370
Correctional Officers and Jailers$42,310$20.346,770
Cost Estimators$74,880$36.001,960
Costume Attendants$37,240$17.9040
Counselors, All Other$40,230$19.3470
Counter and Rental Clerks$38,990$18.752,960
Couriers and Messengers$35,880$17.25750
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners$50,350$24.2180
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$43,680$21.002,370
Crane and Tower Operators$62,000$29.81640
Credit Analysts$79,290$38.12370
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks$49,790$23.9460
Credit Counselors$48,150$23.15220
Crematory Operators$37,740$18.1550
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary$60,280not published100
Crossing Guards and Flaggers$34,450$16.56420
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$42,520$20.44200
Curators$55,460$26.67130
Customer Service Representatives$38,700$18.6138,630
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,180$23.16900
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,760$22.007,290
Data Entry Keyers$36,870$17.722,020
Data Scientists$91,760$44.121,540
Database Administrators$87,390$42.02650
Database Architects$125,400$60.29350
Demonstrators and Product Promoters$42,910$20.63480
Dental Assistants$47,730$22.954,530
Dental Hygienists$78,830$37.902,070
Dental Laboratory Technicians$46,770$22.48420
Dentists, All Other Specialistsnot publishednot published80
Dentists, General$134,160$64.50790
Dermatologists$195,830$94.15not published
Desktop Publishers$45,760$22.0040
Detectives and Criminal Investigators$71,670$34.46720
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$91,230$43.86940
Dietetic Technicians$28,970$13.93430
Dietitians and Nutritionists$69,520$33.431,040
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$26,330$12.663,350
Directors, Religious Activities and Education$52,230$25.11250
Dishwashers$29,060$13.974,890
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$49,990$24.032,440
Drafters, All Other$57,930$27.8550
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$51,740$24.87not published
Driver/Sales Workers$37,030$17.806,140
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$48,340$23.24490
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas$56,160$27.0080
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary$106,250not published120
Economists$71,400$34.33100
Editors$59,430$28.57490
Education Administrators, All Other$102,610$49.33530
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$99,920not published4,940
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$114,310$54.96890
Education Teachers, Postsecondary$61,450not published620
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$44,530$21.411,000
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$45,350$21.802,420
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$64,350$30.945,030
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers$48,900$23.51280
Electrical Engineers$98,550$47.381,540
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$77,020$37.032,930
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$64,120$30.831,060
Electrical and Electronics Drafters$79,050$38.0180
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$62,980$30.28630
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay$98,860$47.53130
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$47,220$22.702,020
Electricians$59,720$28.7111,030
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$65,270$31.3870
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles$64,570$31.0540
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$101,860$48.97860
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$60,610not published19,080
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers$42,670$20.51not published
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$52,020$25.011,710
Embalmers$49,860$23.97280
Emergency Management Directors$74,730$35.93150
Emergency Medical Technicians$36,800$17.692,770
Emergency Medicine Physicians$169,390$81.44620
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers$41,580$19.991,180
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary$110,810not published340
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$65,660$31.57380
Engineers, All Other$99,830$48.00500
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$65,090not published540
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Othernot published$19.2150
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$80,130$38.52300
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians$61,470$29.55200
Environmental Engineers$107,520$51.69350
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary$139,110not published70
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$46,840$22.52560
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$71,040$34.161,000
Epidemiologists$78,810$37.89120
Etchers and Engravers$36,540$17.57250
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$47,780$22.97790
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$62,410$30.012,700
Exercise Physiologists$51,070$24.5560
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$45,280$21.771,990
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters$50,360$24.21380
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,000$24.041,400
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers$33,330$16.03120
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$36,180$17.401,690
Facilities Managers$100,720$48.421,070
Family Medicine Physicians$248,730$119.581,170
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$73,460not published80
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$48,970$23.54800
Farm and Home Management Educators$61,190$29.42420
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers$74,640$35.88110
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$33,050$15.89510
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$38,030$18.29700
Fashion Designersnot publishednot published120
Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,130$13.0441,860
File Clerks$39,250$18.87250
Film and Video Editors$62,330$29.9760
Financial Clerks, All Other$51,860$24.93340
Financial Examiners$76,260$36.66640
Financial Managers$130,650$62.816,630
Financial Risk Specialists$74,640$35.89500
Financial Specialists, All Other$65,690$31.58690
Financial and Investment Analysts$81,660$39.262,460
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators$48,050$23.1060
Fire Inspectors and Investigators$55,970$26.91100
Firefighters$37,150$17.865,150
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$73,490$35.339,620
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$62,780$30.18780
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$41,870$20.13990
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$62,030$29.82320
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$60,850$29.261,250
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,810$17.2118,010
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers$57,830$27.8050
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$45,860$22.052,920
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$57,670$27.731,360
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$76,760$36.9110,020
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$73,320$35.252,090
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$63,180$30.3819,670
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$41,490$19.95840
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$80,390$38.651,600
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$72,490$34.8513,820
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other$73,920$35.54190
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$40,080$19.2718,290
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$50,260$24.17810
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$60,090$28.8910,180
Fish and Game Wardens$54,570$26.2470
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles$50,380$24.22390
Floor Sanders and Finishers$54,580$26.24not published
Floral Designers$34,940$16.80430
Food Batchmakers$46,900$22.554,570
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders$41,800$20.09300
Food Preparation Workers$26,850$12.9115,390
Food Processing Workers, All Other$37,450$18.01690
Food Science Technicians$64,770$31.14160
Food Scientists and Technologists$98,710$47.46170
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$32,200$15.483,660
Food Service Managers$70,410$33.851,680
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$48,540$23.34340
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$65,630not published180
Forensic Science Technicians$61,470$29.5660
Forest and Conservation Technicians$43,660$20.99240
Foresters$56,460$27.15120
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$36,110$17.36not published
Foundry Mold and Coremakers$43,610$20.97not published
Fundraisers$68,270$32.821,030
Fundraising Managers$124,770$59.99210
Funeral Attendants$29,160$14.02560
Funeral Home Managers$47,040$22.62400
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders$75,620$36.36240
Furniture Finishers$42,950$20.6550
Gambling Cage Workers$34,860$16.76110
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers$38,060$18.3030
Gambling Managers$105,340$50.6430
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators$36,330$17.4690
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners$37,910$18.2260
Gas Plant Operators$63,070$30.32200
General Internal Medicine Physicians$241,530$116.121,060
General and Operations Managers$79,370$38.1652,100
Genetic Counselors$99,770$47.9750
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary$86,790not published50
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians$49,840$23.9660
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$77,510$37.27170
Glaziers$49,110$23.61570
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products$37,300$17.94160
Graphic Designers$52,960$25.462,060
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,160$23.63850
Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other$46,790$22.4970
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$29,840$14.352,350
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$47,640$22.91460
Health Education Specialists$65,370$31.43760
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$49,330$23.711,320
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$83,680not published1,380
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$49,410$23.761,940
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors$107,760$51.81300
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$88,610$42.60120
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$91,560$44.02190
Healthcare Social Workers$64,080$30.811,980
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$46,020$22.13770
Hearing Aid Specialists$75,200$36.15100
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,090$22.64340
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$58,620$28.185,100
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$56,340$27.0931,760
Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other$43,680$21.0050
Helpers--Carpenters$35,520$17.08not published
Helpers--Electricians$42,790$20.57690
Helpers--Extraction Workers$68,020$32.70230
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$37,000$17.79900
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$43,330$20.83960
Helpers--Production Workers$42,130$20.262,900
Highway Maintenance Workers$40,400$19.423,030
Historians$63,530$30.5450
History Teachers, Postsecondary$64,600not published280
Home Appliance Repairers$49,710$23.90200
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36,440$17.5231,260
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$27,100$13.035,120
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$29,970$14.413,890
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50,400$24.231,240
Human Resources Managers$121,460$58.401,960
Human Resources Specialists$69,010$33.1810,900
Hydrologic Technicians$65,170$31.3330
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$61,140$29.401,330
Industrial Engineers$96,820$46.556,070
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$64,560$31.0411,540
Industrial Production Managers$112,250$53.976,430
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,630$22.4211,270
Information Security Analysts$103,630$49.821,680
Information and Record Clerks, All Other$48,380$23.261,320
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$46,280$22.2512,880
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$51,310$24.671,110
Instructional Coordinators$63,640$30.593,380
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall$49,730$23.91400
Insulation Workers, Mechanical$46,150$22.19not published
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage$97,950$47.09not published
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$48,330$23.243,030
Insurance Sales Agents$60,880$29.276,210
Insurance Underwriters$79,830$38.38900
Interior Designers$59,240$28.48490
Interpreters and Translators$53,590$25.77480
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$40,490$19.471,050
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$32,320$15.5425,750
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers$47,090$22.64320
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates$150,650$72.43370
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$60,280not published2,450
Labor Relations Specialists$73,550$35.36640
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$42,770$20.5657,930
Landscape Architects$68,460$32.92140
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$36,670$17.638,920
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,060$22.62250
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$29,220$14.052,350
Law Teachers, Postsecondary$140,820not published120
Lawyers$101,550$48.825,770
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$39,300$18.892,810
Legal Support Workers, All Other$68,220$32.80180
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$65,200$31.351,980
Library Assistants, Clerical$33,690$16.201,050
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary$63,660not published60
Library Technicians$35,700$17.16670
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$60,460$29.078,570
Life Scientists, All Other$75,670$36.38100
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$68,230$32.80320
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$28,520$13.711,820
Light Truck Drivers$43,230$20.7815,630
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$47,910$23.033,690
Loan Officers$62,090$29.853,940
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers$51,120$24.58120
Locomotive Engineers$77,620$37.32540
Lodging Managers$59,440$28.58not published
Log Graders and Scalers$45,330$21.8080
Logging Equipment Operators$30,230$14.53300
Logisticians$68,420$32.892,590
Machine Feeders and Offbearers$42,200$20.29980
Machinists$58,660$28.206,040
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$82,200$39.52650
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30,880$14.8512,040
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$37,890$18.21530
Maintenance Workers, Machinery$76,710$36.882,920
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$46,810$22.5022,190
Management Analysts$95,630$45.984,550
Managers, All Other$122,930$59.102,390
Manicurists and Pedicurists$45,310$21.79240
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers$34,770$16.72not published
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$61,480$29.566,290
Marketing Managers$128,930$61.981,930
Marriage and Family Therapists$52,420$25.20330
Massage Therapists$59,790$28.75780
Material Moving Workers, All Other$57,550$27.67190
Materials Engineers$100,620$48.38280
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$65,820not published490
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$39,150$18.821,450
Mechanical Door Repairers$57,840$27.81180
Mechanical Drafters$68,880$33.12510
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$77,990$37.49520
Mechanical Engineers$101,050$48.584,170
Media and Communication Workers, All Other$39,050$18.7840
Medical Appliance Technicians$45,690$21.97not published
Medical Assistants$39,270$18.8813,440
Medical Equipment Preparers$46,880$22.541,120
Medical Equipment Repairers$60,230$28.96860
Medical Records Specialists$48,410$23.284,210
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$77,580$37.30670
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$38,750$18.6326,430
Medical Transcriptionists$39,000$18.75690
Medical and Health Services Managers$103,450$49.748,600
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$49,280$23.691,110
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$42,570$20.461,360
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$35,820$17.222,460
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$61,320$29.48200
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders$59,040$28.38810
Meter Readers, Utilities$44,450$21.37690
Microbiologists$66,500$31.9780
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$61,120not published8,040
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$66,440$31.94540
Millwrights$70,610$33.951,220
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers$103,300$49.67230
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$47,950$23.0547,320
Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers$35,420$17.0390
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,490$23.311,660
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$59,220$28.472,540
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$41,590$20.00370
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,110$22.654,340
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$43,320$20.83470
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other$23,870$11.48450
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$50,920$24.48360
Motorcycle Mechanics$48,220$23.18200
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$54,960$26.425,510
Museum Technicians and Conservators$49,940$24.0180
Musicians and Singersnot publishednot published130
Natural Sciences Managers$126,440$60.79400
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$87,020$41.842,800
Neurologists$338,850$162.91230
New Accounts Clerks$43,990$21.15240
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$47,530$22.85370
Nuclear Medicine Technologists$95,470$45.90270
Nurse Anesthetists$222,520$106.981,640
Nurse Practitioners$122,870$59.074,770
Nursing Assistants$38,370$18.4523,410
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$71,920not published1,130
Obstetricians and Gynecologists$317,110$152.46240
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$83,730$40.252,480
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$61,120$29.38650
Occupational Therapists$97,650$46.952,190
Occupational Therapy Assistants$65,230$31.36500
Office Clerks, General$37,870$18.2129,750
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer$38,640$18.58200
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$49,970$24.03470
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$57,780$27.787,050
Operations Research Analysts$83,850$40.31660
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians$36,650$17.62610
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$38,990$18.751,570
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$101,940$49.0170
Opticians, Dispensing$44,290$21.29950
Optometrists$128,860$61.95430
Order Clerks$40,620$19.53930
Orderlies$35,260$16.95710
Orthotists and Prosthetists$64,730$31.1280
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$43,110$20.72500
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$45,450$21.858,640
Packers and Packagers, Hand$36,850$17.725,900
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$48,110$23.131,390
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers$42,220$20.30200
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$58,050$27.912,670
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$59,830$28.763,540
Paramedics$49,890$23.991,800
Parking Attendants$31,630$15.211,480
Parking Enforcement Workers$45,790$22.0130
Parts Salespersons$36,400$17.504,220
Passenger Attendants$44,810$21.54not published
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$45,660$21.95110
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$52,890$25.431,670
Pediatricians, General$175,690$84.47380
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$35,140$16.89180
Personal Financial Advisors$67,150$32.292,040
Pest Control Workers$42,310$20.341,030
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$39,380$18.94290
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers$78,670$37.82520
Pharmacists$136,530$65.645,030
Pharmacy Aides$34,610$16.64600
Pharmacy Technicians$39,200$18.848,870
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary$65,580not published320
Phlebotomists$42,480$20.422,500
Photographers$47,170$22.68380
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators$37,430$18.00120
Physical Scientists, All Other$81,260$39.07260
Physical Therapist Aides$35,490$17.06160
Physical Therapist Assistants$61,480$29.562,580
Physical Therapists$100,710$48.423,390
Physician Assistants$120,760$58.061,360
Physicians, All Other$327,390$157.403,340
Physicians, Pathologists$324,390$155.96not published
Physicists$180,910$86.9850
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary$80,270not published160
Pipelayers$58,820$28.2860
Plant and System Operators, All Other$69,430$33.3830
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$34,680$16.67630
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$64,160$30.846,360
Podiatrists$201,260$96.7680
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$60,490$29.087,890
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary$78,670not published140
Postal Service Clerks$62,610$30.101,220
Postal Service Mail Carriers$58,910$28.324,640
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$57,430$27.61950
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents$98,570$47.39240
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$67,690not published4,120
Pourers and Casters, Metal$38,800$18.6560
Power Distributors and Dispatchers$105,600$50.77140
Power Plant Operators$93,400$44.90690
Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other$66,410$31.9380
Prepress Technicians and Workers$45,830$22.031,130
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$29,780$14.328,520
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials$31,200$15.00530
Print Binding and Finishing Workers$39,620$19.05410
Printing Press Operators$48,000$23.082,470
Private Detectives and Investigators$47,650$22.91350
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$59,610$28.66830
Procurement Clerks$50,610$24.33810
Producers and Directors$54,550$26.23950
Production Workers, All Other$38,630$18.572,780
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$55,690$26.786,480
Project Management Specialists$81,700$39.2810,250
Proofreaders and Copy Markers$46,380$22.3070
Property Appraisers and Assessors$58,850$28.29140
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$52,790$25.382,670
Protective Service Workers, All Other$46,580$22.39540
Psychiatric Aides$38,610$18.56250
Psychiatric Technicians$40,370$19.41910
Psychiatrists$237,770$114.31160
Psychologists, All Other$149,990$72.11300
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$74,520not published590
Public Relations Managers$112,320$54.00510
Public Relations Specialists$60,150$28.922,580
Public Safety Telecommunicators$45,670$21.961,350
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers$46,600$22.4040
Purchasing Managers$124,350$59.78920
Radiation Therapists$97,760$47.00170
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers$49,840$23.9690
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$69,670$33.503,630
Radiologists$279,990$134.61not published
Rail Car Repairers$59,430$28.57770
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers$62,070$29.84110
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators$73,120$35.16270
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers$56,410$27.12170
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters$52,380$25.18110
Real Estate Brokersnot publishednot published150
Real Estate Sales Agents$58,610$28.181,120
Receptionists and Information Clerks$32,940$15.849,290
Recreation Workers$32,400$15.583,290
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary$64,890not published230
Recreational Therapists$59,240$28.48100
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians$47,800$22.98200
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$43,100$20.721,580
Registered Nurses$81,040$38.9650,300
Rehabilitation Counselors$58,540$28.15790
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers$66,830$32.1340
Religious Workers, All Other$34,090$16.39not published
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$45,840$22.041,860
Residential Advisors$30,260$14.551,580
Respiratory Therapists$72,750$34.982,530
Retail Salespersons$29,650$14.2651,250
Riggers$50,270$24.17not published
Rock Splitters, Quarry$44,000$21.16310
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,400$24.231,120
Roof Bolters, Mining$72,510$34.86120
Roofers$46,940$22.571,080
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas$38,520$18.5230
Sailors and Marine Oilers$47,460$22.821,470
Sales Engineers$90,190$43.36380
Sales Managers$128,650$61.856,650
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$52,750$25.3611,860
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$64,280$30.9015,550
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$97,640$46.944,170
Sales and Related Workers, All Other$49,990$24.04210
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$36,810$17.701,050
School Bus Monitors$28,220$13.57370
School Psychologists$75,370$36.24590
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$61,560not published12,780
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$44,200$21.2518,420
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$59,110$28.425,340
Security Guards$35,420$17.0313,580
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$60,700$29.181,080
Self-Enrichment Teachers$39,990$19.231,630
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$58,770$28.251,500
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$43,980$21.15280
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas$28,280$13.60210
Set and Exhibit Designers$53,260$25.6140
Sewing Machine Operators$29,460$14.172,750
Sheet Metal Workers$60,680$29.172,210
Ship Engineers$120,550$57.96not published
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$42,830$20.5916,130
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$33,580$16.142,630
Signal and Track Switch Repairers$75,870$36.4860
Skincare Specialists$38,580$18.55830
Slaughterers and Meat Packers$38,330$18.43320
Social Science Research Assistants$66,390$31.921,190
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other$64,840not published340
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$78,850$37.91350
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary$65,260not published280
Social Workers, All Other$85,160$40.94610
Social and Community Service Managers$76,960$37.002,280
Social and Human Service Assistants$37,440$18.004,670
Sociologists$136,870$65.8030
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary$61,260not published150
Software Developers$109,010$52.417,660
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$79,100$38.03890
Soil and Plant Scientists$67,340$32.38140
Sound Engineering Technicians$74,100$35.6260
Special Education Teachers, All Other$63,140not published290
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$60,060not published3,710
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$60,200not published1,530
Special Education Teachers, Preschool$54,220not publishednot published
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$60,730not published2,680
Special Effects Artists and Animators$50,970$24.5140
Speech-Language Pathologists$83,550$40.172,610
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators$66,770$32.1090
Statistical Assistants$45,660$21.95100
Statisticians$112,520$54.1080
Stockers and Order Fillers$36,810$17.7047,730
Structural Iron and Steel Workers$64,060$30.80990
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$55,250$26.56450
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$54,190$26.057,690
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$29,730$14.29320
Surgeons, All Other$162,160$77.96440
Surgical Assistants$84,600$40.67480
Surgical Technologists$60,490$29.081,440
Surveying and Mapping Technicians$46,050$22.14920
Surveyors$71,840$34.54670
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$37,590$18.07370
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers$32,530$15.64230
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders$53,160$25.56130
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$57,240$27.521,290
Tax Preparers$36,620$17.601,080
Taxi Drivers$33,850$16.28150
Teachers and Instructors, All Other$58,200not published2,650
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$30,160not published16,330
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$49,680not published990
Technical Writers$81,070$38.97340
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$59,700$28.702,210
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$64,010$30.771,870
Telemarketers$34,450$16.56910
Tellers$37,210$17.895,350
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$31,040$14.9250
Therapists, All Other$75,060$36.09190
Tile and Stone Setters$47,380$22.78180
Tire Builders$46,010$22.12270
Tire Repairers and Changers$36,300$17.451,270
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers$52,860$25.41270
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners$44,170$21.2350
Tool and Die Makers$66,570$32.001,900
Tour and Travel Guides$36,070$17.341,010
Training and Development Managers$112,750$54.21460
Training and Development Specialists$61,390$29.526,090
Transportation Inspectors$83,970$40.37260
Transportation Security Screeners$63,130$30.35510
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$100,340$48.242,340
Travel Agents$49,370$23.74220
Tree Trimmers and Pruners$44,410$21.351,020
Tutors$34,240$16.46780
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officialsnot publishednot published290
Upholsterers$41,690$20.0480
Urban and Regional Planners$65,000$31.25180
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$25,930$12.461,110
Veterinarians$104,100$50.051,190
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$34,140$16.411,840
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$39,590$19.031,670
Waiters and Waitresses$29,660$14.2627,150
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$45,430$21.842,540
Web Developers$82,630$39.73270
Web and Digital Interface Designers$77,000$37.02590
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$49,140$23.621,300
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$51,470$24.746,630
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50,740$24.391,000
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$38,080$18.311,320
Word Processors and Typistsnot publishednot published160
Writers and Authors$48,780$23.45350
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$61,950$29.79150

"Not published" means BLS did not release that figure for this state. "$239,200 or more" and "$115.00 or more" are the highest values BLS reports in state tables.

How pay is spread in Kentucky

By median pay, Kentucky is number 44 of the 54 states and territories in the figures. The lowest-paid tenth of employees earned less than $27,970 a year and the highest-paid tenth more than $98,380. The middle half, between the 25% and 75% lines, earned from $35,410 to $66,760. For the whole country those outer lines were $31,200 and $128,560. The average (mean) pay was $58,990, 26% above the median, because high earners lift an average more than a median. The 2,000,360 jobs counted here are 1.3% of all jobs in the national figures.

The kinds of work

Adding up the occupations with a published job count, the largest fields of work in Kentucky are Office and Administrative Support (251,570 jobs, 13%), Transportation and Material Moving (224,720 jobs, 11%), Production (179,390 jobs, 9%) and Food Preparation and Serving Related (175,540 jobs, 9%). Some occupations are far more common here than elsewhere. Set against their share of all jobs in the country, the most concentrated are Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors (8.0 times the national share), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (4.7 times the national share) and Maintenance Workers, Machinery (3.8 times the national share). The table on this page lists 712 occupations; for 11 of them the Bureau released a job count but no pay figure.

Same job, different pay

Among the 285 occupations with at least 1,000 jobs and a yearly median in the state, 25 pay more than the same occupation does nationally, 232 pay less and 28 are within 2%. The widest gaps above the national median are for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950 here, $232,140 nationally), Maintenance Workers, Machinery ($76,710 here, $60,850 nationally) and Physicians, All Other ($327,390 here, $265,930 nationally). The widest gaps below it are for Firefighters ($37,150 here, $59,280 nationally), Lawyers ($101,550 here, $159,670 nationally) and Personal Financial Advisors ($67,150 here, $105,070 nationally). A gap in pay is not a gap in living standard: prices, housing costs and taxes differ between states, and these statistics do not adjust for them.

Questions about pay in Kentucky

What is the median salary in Kentucky?

The median pay of all employees in Kentucky was $46,920 a year ($22.56 an hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national median was $50,980.

What is the most common job in Kentucky?

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand, with 57,930 jobs and a median pay of $42,770 a year.

What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?

The three highest medians published as a figure are Cardiologists ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950) and Anesthesiologists ($347,960).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Checked in November 2026. Figures are for employees, before tax, and leave out overtime pay and benefits. They are official statistics, not advice or a pay offer; see bls.gov/oes for the original tables.

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