Kentucky Salary Data
Salary comparisons across 1 metropolitan area in Kentucky. Prices in Kentucky were 9.8% below the national level in 2024 (BEA regional price parity 90.2).
Metro Areas in Kentucky
| Metro Area | Price Level (US = 100) | vs National Level |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY | 93.1 | -6.9% |
| Kentucky (statewide) | 90.2 | -9.8% |
Top Paying Occupations in Kentucky
| Occupation | KY Median | National Median | vs National | Metro Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $109,010 | $135,980 | -$26,970 | Louisville, KY |
| Lawyer | $101,550 | $159,670 | -$58,120 | Louisville, KY |
| Financial Analyst | $81,660 | $102,740 | -$21,080 | Louisville, KY |
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | $97,550 | -$16,510 | Louisville, KY |
| Electrician | $59,720 | $63,190 | -$3,470 | Louisville, KY |
Salary by City — Kentucky
4Wages and Prices in Kentucky
This dataset covers 1 metropolitan area in Kentucky: Louisville. BEA's regional price parity for it is 93.1 (United States = 100), and the statewide figure is 90.2.
Of the occupations featured here, Software Developer has the highest statewide median at $109,010; in Louisville, KY, the one metro area covered here, its median is $110,270.
To compare a wage across areas, divide it by the area's regional price parity and multiply by 100. That restates it at national-average prices; it covers prices only, not taxes. For a specific role, browse all occupations and drill into each one to see side-by-side city differences within Kentucky.
Statewide median salary by occupation in Kentucky
State-level BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates (all metro and non-metro areas combined), highest median first. Each row links to the full state page for that occupation.
| Occupation | Median | 75th pct | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician | $327,390 | $452,650 | 3,340 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $158,280 | 5,030 |
| Marketing Manager | $128,930 | $170,720 | 1,930 |
| Sales Manager | $128,650 | $181,770 | 6,650 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,870 | $132,720 | 4,770 |
| HR Manager | $121,460 | $155,170 | 1,960 |
| Actuary | $120,400 | $133,000 | 70 |
| Software Developer | $109,010 | $136,090 | 7,660 |
| Network Engineer | $103,740 | $130,330 | 1,710 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $103,630 | $135,280 | 1,680 |
| Lawyer | $101,550 | $149,120 | 5,770 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,050 | $120,690 | 4,170 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,930 | $122,930 | 2,690 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,710 | $114,820 | 3,390 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $100,340 | $131,510 | 2,340 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,650 | $105,220 | 2,190 |
| Construction Manager | $97,020 | $134,230 | 2,990 |
| Business Analyst | $95,630 | $120,200 | 4,550 |
| Data Scientist | $91,760 | $121,850 | 1,540 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | $91,760 | $121,850 | 1,540 |
| Cloud Architect | $89,420 | $115,210 | 1,850 |
| Database Administrator | $87,390 | $117,390 | 650 |
| DevOps Engineer | $87,020 | $106,950 | 2,800 |
| Project Manager | $81,700 | $104,860 | 10,250 |
| Financial Analyst | $81,660 | $105,710 | 2,460 |
| Technical Writer | $81,070 | $99,240 | 340 |
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | $97,200 | 50,300 |
| Operations Manager | $79,370 | $124,710 | 52,100 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,830 | $91,800 | 2,070 |
| UX Designer | $77,000 | $93,460 | 590 |
| Accountant | $75,270 | $96,780 | 11,930 |
| Tax Manager | $75,270 | $96,780 | 11,930 |
| Radiologic Technologist | $69,670 | $81,370 | 3,630 |
| College Professor | $67,690 | $104,750 | 4,120 |
| Financial Advisor | $67,150 | $114,350 | 2,040 |
| School Counselor | $64,350 | $78,580 | 5,030 |
| Plumber | $64,160 | $84,840 | 6,360 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,610 | $64,570 | 19,080 |
| Paralegal | $59,830 | $70,920 | 3,540 |
| Electrician | $59,720 | $77,920 | 11,030 |
| Investment Banker | $59,110 | $83,100 | 5,340 |
| HVAC Technician | $58,620 | $67,540 | 5,100 |
| Welder | $51,470 | $59,900 | 6,630 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,270 | $45,940 | 13,440 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest paying jobs in Kentucky?
Among the occupations featured on this page, Software Developer has the highest statewide median in Kentucky at $109,010 per year, followed by Lawyer at $101,550. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
How do prices in Kentucky compare with the rest of the country?
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the regional price parity for Kentucky at 90.2 for 2024, where the United States is 100. That is 9.8% below the national level. For the metro area covered here: Louisville, KY 93.1.