Kentucky wages
South region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, Kentucky has a median annual wage of $45,740 and a mean of $56,310 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — -7.6% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #44 of 51 states by mean wage. About 1,993,680 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in Kentucky is Family Medicine Physicians ($239,200+ median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in Kentucky: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in Kentucky for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | Kentucky median | US median | Kentucky jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $106,200 | $133,080 | 7,070 |
| Registered Nurses | $79,910 | $93,600 | 48,170 |
| Electricians | $59,490 | $62,350 | 10,320 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,590 | $57,440 | 33,430 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $72,220 | $81,680 | 12,180 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $57,980 | $62,340 | 18,680 |
| Lawyers | $102,670 | $151,160 | 6,380 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $62,370 | $62,970 | 5,500 |
| Pharmacists | $132,750 | $137,480 | 5,310 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,230 | $76,290 | 7,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in Kentucky
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in Kentucky, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $277,570 |
| 2 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $239,200+ | $413,070 |
| 3 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $231,240 | $307,100 |
| 4 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $138,620 | $134,750 |
| 5 | Dentists, General | $135,550 | $179,380 |
| 6 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $134,880 | $143,050 |
| 7 | Pharmacists | $132,750 | $130,990 |
| 8 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $132,700 | $142,980 |
| 9 | Financial Managers | $125,490 | $137,650 |
| 10 | Marketing Managers | $123,480 | $134,320 |
| 11 | Actuaries | $120,580 | $130,610 |
| 12 | Aerospace Engineers | $117,660 | $127,580 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in Kentucky?
The median annual wage across all occupations in Kentucky is $45,740 and the mean is $56,310 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is -7.6% versus the US median of $49,500. Kentucky ranks #44 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in Kentucky include Family Medicine Physicians ($239,200+), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($239,200+), General Internal Medicine Physicians ($231,240). See the full list on this page.
Are Kentucky wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. Kentucky's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within Kentucky. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20