Kentucky Salary Percentile
Calculator
Kentucky has a state median salary of $47K, 8% below the national median of $51K. The calculator below lets you see how your salary ranks against Kentucky workers using BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
Enter your gross annual salary (pre-tax). Hourly workers: multiply hourly rate by 2,080.
Kentucky salary percentiles — May 2025
| Percentile | Kentucky | National |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29K | $31K |
| 25th | $35K | $38K |
| 50th (median)median | $47K | $51K |
| 75th | $74K | $81K |
| 90th | $118K | $129K |
State figures derived from BLS OEWS May 2025 state median. National figures from BLS national percentile data.
Key insight
The median salary in Kentucky is $47K. 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 $47K based on May 2025 BLS data. This means half of all Kentucky workers earn below this amount and half earn above it. The national median is $51K, making Kentucky 8% below the national average.
What is a good salary in Kentucky?
A salary above $61K 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 $47K is 8% below the national median of $51K. 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.
What is the average salary in Kentucky?
"Average" and "median" measure different things, but BLS reports the median: the midpoint where half of Kentucky workers earn more and half earn less. The Kentucky median is $47K, below the national median of $51K. Use the calculator above to see exactly where your salary ranks.
Salary percentiles by state
Alabama
$46K median
Alaska
$61K median
Arizona
$50K median
Arkansas
$44K median
California
$58K median
Colorado
$60K median
Connecticut
$60K median
Delaware
$52K median
Florida
$48K median
Georgia
$48K median
Hawaii
$56K median
Idaho
$48K median
Illinois
$52K median
Indiana
$48K median
Iowa
$49K median
Kansas
$48K median
Kentucky
$47K median
Louisiana
$46K median
Maine
$51K median
Maryland
$60K median
Massachusetts
$64K median
Michigan
$49K median
Minnesota
$57K median
Mississippi
$40K median
Missouri
$48K median
Montana
$49K median
Nebraska
$49K median
Nevada
$48K median
New Hampshire
$56K median
New Jersey
$59K median
New Mexico
$47K median
New York
$60K median
North Carolina
$48K median
North Dakota
$52K median
Ohio
$49K median
Oklahoma
$46K median
Oregon
$57K median
Pennsylvania
$50K median
Rhode Island
$57K median
South Carolina
$46K median
South Dakota
$47K median
Tennessee
$47K median
Texas
$49K median
Utah
$50K median
Vermont
$56K median
Virginia
$56K median
Washington
$63K median
Washington D.C.
$92K median
West Virginia
$45K median
Wisconsin
$50K median
Wyoming
$50K median