Kentucky Salary Percentile
Calculator
Kentucky has a state median salary of $49K, 17% below the national median of $59K. The calculator below lets you see how your salary ranks against Kentucky workers using BLS 2024 data.
Enter your gross annual salary (pre-tax). Hourly workers: multiply hourly rate by 2,080.
Kentucky salary percentiles — 2024
| Percentile | Kentucky | National |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $12K | $15K |
| 25th | $22K | $26K |
| 50th (median)median | $49K | $59K |
| 75th | $81K | $97K |
| 90th | $120K | $145K |
| 95th | $166K | $200K |
| 99th | $291K | $350K |
State figures derived from BLS OEWS 2024 state median. National figures from BLS national percentile data.
Key insight
The median salary in Kentucky is $49K. Half of all Kentucky workers earn less than this amount. Your state percentile measures where you stand relative to other Kentucky workers, while your national percentile compares you to all US workers.
Kentucky salary — frequently asked questions
What is the median salary in Kentucky?
The median annual salary in Kentucky is approximately $49K based on 2024 BLS data. This means half of all Kentucky workers earn below this amount and half earn above it. The national median is $59K, making Kentucky 17% below the national average.
What is a good salary in Kentucky?
A salary above $64K puts you in roughly the top quarter of earners in Kentucky. The top 10% in most states starts around 2-2.5x the state median. The calculator above shows your exact percentile for any salary in Kentucky.
How does Kentucky compare to national salary averages?
Kentucky's state median of $49K is 17% below the national median of $59K. State salaries vary significantly based on the mix of industries, cost of living, and local demand for workers. Use the calculator to see both your state and national percentile.
Does location within the state affect salary percentile?
Yes. Metropolitan areas in Kentucky typically have higher wages than rural areas. The calculator uses the state-level median as its benchmark. Workers in Kentucky's major cities likely rank differently against their local peers than against the statewide distribution.
Salary percentiles by state
Alabama
$48K median
Alaska
$62K median
Arizona
$58K median
Arkansas
$46K median
California
$72K median
Colorado
$67K median
Connecticut
$70K median
Delaware
$62K median
Florida
$55K median
Georgia
$55K median
Hawaii
$60K median
Idaho
$52K median
Illinois
$62K median
Indiana
$52K median
Iowa
$55K median
Kansas
$52K median
Kentucky
$49K median
Louisiana
$48K median
Maine
$55K median
Maryland
$68K median
Massachusetts
$75K median
Michigan
$55K median
Minnesota
$64K median
Mississippi
$43K median
Missouri
$52K median
Montana
$50K median
Nebraska
$55K median
Nevada
$55K median
New Hampshire
$68K median
New Jersey
$70K median
New Mexico
$49K median
New York
$68K median
North Carolina
$56K median
North Dakota
$55K median
Ohio
$54K median
Oklahoma
$48K median
Oregon
$63K median
Pennsylvania
$58K median
Rhode Island
$62K median
South Carolina
$50K median
South Dakota
$48K median
Tennessee
$52K median
Texas
$58K median
Utah
$60K median
Vermont
$57K median
Virginia
$65K median
Washington
$74K median
Washington D.C.
$85K median
West Virginia
$44K median
Wisconsin
$57K median
Wyoming
$55K median