Average salary in Kentucky

Kentucky is a state located in the southern United States with a diverse economy. Its largest industries include healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, among others. Like many other states, the average salary in Kentucky can vary greatly depending on location, occupation, and other factors.

While the median household income in Kentucky is lower than the national median household income, the cost of living in Kentucky is also lower than many other states. There are also high paying jobs available in rural areas, particularly in the mining and agricultural industries. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries?

Average salary in Kentucky by city

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. Kentucky has a number of highly populated cities with average household income sitting above $60,000, while some hover closer to $40,000.

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the largest cities in Kentucky, which you can find ranked below.

Average salary in Kentucky by county

Reviewing average salaries in Kentucky by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Kentucky by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county.

Highest paying jobs in Kentucky

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Kentucky: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by occupation area, which you can also find below.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Kentucky

What is the average salary in Kentucky by age?
Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Kentucky are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $38,701; householders aged 24 to 44 years old have a median income of $60,227; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $66,735; and those 65 and older have a median income of $44,307.

What is a ‘good’ salary in Kentucky?
Defining what is considered a good salary in Kentucky depends on various factors like cost of living, occupation, and location. The median income in Kentucky is $52,295.

What is the average salary in Kentucky by hour?
If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Kentucky is $28.99.

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