Highest-paying jobs in Kentucky
Answer
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers have the highest median pay in Kentucky, $350,950 a year, followed by anesthesiologists ($347,960) and family medicine physicians ($248,730). The median for all jobs in Kentucky is $46,920, 44th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 28th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $46,920
- 44th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $22.56
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 90.2
- Median worth $52,041 at US prices (28th)
- Jobs
- 2,000,360
- 659 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Kentucky, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Kentucky are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Kentucky
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $350,950 | — | 6,260 | $232,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Anesthesiologists | $347,960 | $167.29 | 1,090 | $391,490 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 3 | Family Medicine Physicians | $248,730 | $119.58 | 1,170 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 4 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $241,530 | $116.12 | 1,060 | $256,560 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 5 | Nurse Anesthetists | $222,520 | $106.98 | 1,640 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 6 | Chief Executives | $179,530 | $86.31 | 2,070 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $169,390 | $81.44 | 620 | $335,550 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 8 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $147,680 | $71.00 | 1,800 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $140,360 | $67.48 | 3,130 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Pharmacists | $136,530 | $65.64 | 5,030 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 11 | Dentists, General | $134,160 | $64.50 | 790 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 12 | Financial Managers | $130,650 | $62.81 | 6,630 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Commercial Pilots | $129,990 | — | 800 | $123,220 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 14 | Marketing Managers | $128,930 | $61.98 | 1,930 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Sales Managers | $128,650 | $61.85 | 6,650 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Purchasing Managers | $124,350 | $59.78 | 920 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Nurse Practitioners | $122,870 | $59.07 | 4,770 | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| 18 | Human Resources Managers | $121,460 | $58.40 | 1,960 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Physician Assistants | $120,760 | $58.06 | 1,360 | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| 20 | Computer Hardware Engineers | $116,200 | $55.86 | 500 | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| 21 | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $114,310 | $54.96 | 890 | $104,590 | Master's degree |
| 22 | Public Relations Managers | $112,320 | $54.00 | 510 | $146,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Industrial Production Managers | $112,250 | $53.97 | 6,430 | $126,060 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Software Developers | $109,010 | $52.41 | 7,660 | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Veterinarians | $104,100 | $50.05 | 1,190 | $130,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Kentucky without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $100,340 | $48.24 | 2,340 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Power Plant Operators | $93,400 | $44.90 | 690 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,390 | $38.65 | 1,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $78,670 | $37.82 | 520 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Locomotive Engineers | $77,620 | $37.32 | 540 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $77,020 | $37.03 | 2,930 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $76,760 | $36.91 | 10,020 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $76,710 | $36.88 | 2,920 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $73,840 | $35.50 | 3,670 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $73,490 | $35.33 | 9,620 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $73,320 | $35.25 | 2,090 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $72,490 | $34.85 | 13,820 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $71,670 | $34.46 | 720 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Millwrights | $70,610 | $33.95 | 1,220 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Food Service Managers | $70,410 | $33.85 | 1,680 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Kentucky
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 57,930 | $42,770 | $20.56 | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | General and Operations Managers | 52,100 | $79,370 | $38.16 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Retail Salespersons | 51,250 | $29,650 | $14.26 | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Registered Nurses | 50,300 | $81,040 | $38.96 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 47,730 | $36,810 | $17.70 | No formal educational credential |
| 6 | Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 47,320 | $47,950 | $23.05 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Cashiers | 44,550 | $28,590 | $13.75 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 41,860 | $27,130 | $13.04 | No formal educational credential |
| 9 | Customer Service Representatives | 38,630 | $38,700 | $18.61 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 31,760 | $56,340 | $27.09 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 11 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 31,260 | $36,440 | $17.52 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Office Clerks, General | 29,750 | $37,870 | $18.21 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Waiters and Waitresses | 27,150 | $29,660 | $14.26 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 26,430 | $38,750 | $18.63 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 25,750 | $32,320 | $15.54 | No formal educational credential |
| 16 | Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 23,480 | $46,550 | $22.38 | Some college, no degree |
| 17 | Nursing Assistants | 23,410 | $38,370 | $18.45 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 18 | Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | 22,190 | $46,810 | $22.50 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 19 | Cooks, Fast Food | 21,750 | $23,500 | $11.30 | No formal educational credential |
| 20 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 19,670 | $63,180 | $30.38 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in Kentucky
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | 8.0× | 1,010 | $52,530 |
| 2 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | 4.7× | 6,260 | $350,950 |
| 3 | Maintenance Workers, Machinery | 3.8× | 2,920 | $76,710 |
| 4 | Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | 3.8× | 810 | $59,040 |
| 5 | Prepress Technicians and Workers | 3.7× | 1,130 | $45,830 |
| 6 | Sailors and Marine Oilers | 3.6× | 1,470 | $47,460 |
| 7 | Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 3.5× | 1,120 | $50,400 |
| 8 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 3.4× | 5,510 | $54,960 |
| 9 | Bailiffs | 3.4× | 760 | $30,760 |
| 10 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 3.3× | 540 | $66,440 |
| 11 | Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 3.3× | 7,290 | $45,760 |
| 12 | Social Science Research Assistants | 3.0× | 1,190 | $66,390 |
What 135 careers pay in Kentucky
Click a heading to sort
| Cardiologist | $558,180 | 9 | $619,106 | $496,010 | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilot | $350,950 | 5 | $389,257 | $232,140 | 6,260 |
| Anesthesiologist | $347,960 | 19 | $385,940 | $391,490 | 1,090 |
| Neurologist | $338,850 | 10 | $375,836 | $248,560 | 230 |
| Pathologist | $324,390 | 10 | $359,798 | $312,400 | — |
| OB-GYN | $317,110 | 21 | $351,723 | $292,910 | 240 |
| Radiologist | $279,990 | 25 | $310,551 | $420,860 | — |
| Psychiatrist | $237,770 | 31 | $263,723 | $281,870 | 160 |
| CRNA | $222,520 | 34 | $246,808 | $236,590 | 1,640 |
| Dermatologist | $195,830 | 25 | $217,205 | $328,730 | — |
| Pediatrician | $175,690 | 43 | $194,867 | $210,040 | 380 |
| Judge | $150,650 | 22 | $167,094 | $153,990 | 370 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | 40 | $151,432 | $140,910 | 5,030 |
| Dentist | $134,160 | 44 | $148,804 | $170,950 | 790 |
| Commercial Pilot | $129,990 | 14 | $144,179 | $123,220 | 800 |
| Marketing Manager | $128,930 | 37 | $143,003 | $166,790 | 1,930 |
| Optometrist | $128,860 | 35 | $142,925 | $136,570 | 430 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $127,800 | 24 | $141,750 | $148,080 | 230 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,130 | 29 | $139,897 | $134,960 | 290 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,870 | 49 | $136,281 | $132,300 | 4,770 |
| HR Manager | $121,460 | 41 | $134,718 | $149,280 | 1,960 |
| Physician Assistant | $120,760 | 46 | $133,941 | $135,880 | 1,360 |
| Actuary | $120,400 | 24 | $133,542 | $130,000 | 70 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,170 | 19 | $129,959 | $125,040 | 190 |
| Computer Engineer | $116,200 | 31 | $128,883 | $161,740 | 500 |
| Software Engineer | $109,010 | 44 | $120,909 | $135,980 | 7,660 |
| Veterinarian | $104,100 | 43 | $115,463 | $130,100 | 1,190 |
| Network Engineer | $103,740 | 46 | $115,063 | $134,050 | 1,710 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $103,630 | 35 | $114,941 | $129,180 | 1,680 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $103,450 | 46 | $114,742 | $123,860 | 8,600 |
| Meteorologist | $103,240 | 22 | $114,509 | $99,070 | 100 |
| Lawyer | $101,550 | 48 | $112,634 | $159,670 | 5,770 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,050 | 28 | $112,080 | $104,110 | 4,170 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,930 | 17 | $111,947 | $100,840 | 2,690 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,710 | 28 | $111,703 | $102,760 | 3,390 |
| School Principal | $99,920 | 36 | $110,826 | $105,870 | 4,940 |
| Psychologist | $99,140 | 22 | $109,961 | $100,580 | 710 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,550 | 46 | $109,307 | $120,630 | 1,540 |
| Radiation Therapist | $97,760 | 33 | $108,431 | $105,310 | 170 |
| Architect | $97,680 | 25 | $108,342 | $99,280 | 630 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,650 | 31 | $108,309 | $100,330 | 2,190 |
| Construction Manager | $97,020 | 47 | $107,610 | $114,990 | 2,990 |
| Business Analyst | $95,630 | 32 | $106,068 | $101,860 | 4,550 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $95,360 | 25 | $105,769 | $109,370 | 80 |
| Audiologist | $92,520 | 31 | $102,619 | $95,780 | 90 |
| Data Scientist | $91,760 | 40 | $101,776 | $120,230 | 1,540 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $91,230 | 31 | $101,188 | $96,590 | 940 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $83,550 | 37 | $92,670 | $97,870 | 2,610 |
| Web Developer | $82,630 | 25 | $91,649 | $92,650 | 270 |
| MRI Technician | $82,200 | 42 | $91,172 | $95,480 | 650 |
| Chiropractor | $81,740 | 17 | $90,662 | $79,200 | 470 |
| Project Manager | $81,700 | 46 | $90,618 | $102,320 | 10,250 |
| Financial Analyst | $81,660 | 45 | $90,573 | $102,740 | 2,460 |
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | 42 | $89,886 | $97,550 | 50,300 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $81,040 | 42 | $89,886 | $97,550 | 50,300 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $81,040 | 42 | $89,886 | $97,550 | 50,300 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $81,040 | 42 | $89,886 | $97,550 | 50,300 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $81,040 | 42 | $89,886 | $97,550 | 50,300 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $81,040 | 42 | $89,886 | $97,550 | 50,300 |
| Operations Manager | $79,370 | 49 | $88,033 | $105,770 | 52,100 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,830 | 47 | $87,434 | $98,100 | 2,070 |
| Lineman | $77,020 | 44 | $85,427 | $95,320 | 2,930 |
| UX Designer | $77,000 | 30 | $85,405 | $104,000 | 590 |
| School Psychologist | $75,370 | 38 | $83,597 | $95,990 | 590 |
| Accountant | $75,270 | 43 | $83,486 | $83,680 | 11,930 |
| Claims Adjuster | $73,840 | 37 | $81,900 | $78,000 | 3,670 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,750 | 45 | $80,691 | $82,280 | 2,530 |
| Detective | $71,670 | 43 | $79,493 | $93,790 | 720 |
| Radiology Technician | $69,670 | 42 | $77,275 | $80,110 | 3,630 |
| Nutritionist | $69,520 | 35 | $77,108 | $76,400 | 1,040 |
| HR Specialist | $69,010 | 32 | $76,543 | $75,940 | 10,900 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $67,920 | 42 | $75,334 | $79,870 | 1,680 |
| Financial Advisor | $67,150 | 48 | $74,480 | $105,070 | 2,040 |
| Librarian | $65,200 | 22 | $72,317 | $68,270 | 1,980 |
| School Counselor | $64,350 | 21 | $71,374 | $64,330 | 5,030 |
| Plumber | $64,160 | 24 | $71,163 | $63,800 | 6,360 |
| Underwater Welder (Commercial Diver data) | $63,550 | 11 | $70,487 | $72,990 | — |
| TSA Officer | $63,130 | 28 | $70,021 | $66,770 | 510 |
| Loan Officer | $62,090 | 47 | $68,867 | $76,690 | 3,940 |
| Crane Operator | $62,000 | 36 | $68,767 | $68,080 | 640 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $61,950 | 43 | $68,712 | $76,780 | 150 |
| High School Teacher | $61,560 | 37 | $68,279 | $72,040 | 12,780 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,480 | 44 | $68,191 | $68,380 | 2,580 |
| Forensic Scientist | $61,470 | 33 | $68,180 | $72,060 | 60 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $60,980 | 40 | $67,636 | $74,310 | 940 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $60,880 | 32 | $67,525 | $62,930 | 4,860 |
| Insurance Agent | $60,880 | 32 | $67,525 | $62,280 | 6,210 |
| Athletic Trainer | $60,680 | 32 | $67,303 | $62,520 | 720 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,610 | 35 | $67,226 | $63,970 | 19,080 |
| Surgical Technician | $60,490 | 43 | $67,093 | $64,650 | 1,440 |
| Police Officer | $60,490 | 39 | $67,093 | $76,210 | 7,890 |
| LPN | $60,460 | 42 | $67,059 | $64,400 | 8,570 |
| Paralegal | $59,830 | 33 | $66,361 | $62,890 | 3,540 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,790 | 25 | $66,316 | $58,450 | 780 |
| Electrician | $59,720 | 43 | $66,239 | $63,190 | 11,030 |
| Interior Designer | $59,240 | 44 | $65,706 | $67,190 | 490 |
| Mail Carrier | $58,910 | 42 | $65,340 | $60,550 | 4,640 |
| HVAC Technician | $58,620 | 37 | $65,018 | $61,010 | 5,100 |
| Real Estate Agent | $58,610 | 19 | $65,007 | $52,830 | 1,120 |
| IT Support Specialist | $57,850 | 37 | $64,164 | $61,860 | 9,460 |
| Truck Driver | $56,340 | 39 | $62,490 | $58,640 | 31,760 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $55,480 | 46 | $61,536 | $61,770 | 3,890 |
| Bus Driver | $54,550 | 21 | $60,504 | $59,050 | 2,570 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $54,190 | 41 | $60,105 | $59,350 | 7,690 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,960 | 42 | $58,741 | $62,960 | 2,060 |
| Carpenter | $52,680 | 35 | $58,430 | $60,580 | 8,540 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $52,420 | 36 | $58,142 | $66,940 | 330 |
| Train Conductor | $52,380 | 33 | $58,097 | $78,000 | 110 |
| Welder | $51,470 | 33 | $57,088 | $53,750 | 6,630 |
| Court Reporter | $50,350 | 35 | $55,846 | $72,420 | 80 |
| Paramedic | $49,890 | 47 | $55,336 | $60,600 | 1,800 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $48,410 | 39 | $53,694 | $51,140 | 4,210 |
| Chef | $48,070 | 48 | $53,317 | $62,470 | 1,790 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,730 | 27 | $52,940 | $48,070 | 4,530 |
| Private Investigator | $47,650 | 31 | $52,851 | $51,220 | 350 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $46,880 | 25 | $51,997 | $47,700 | 1,120 |
| Construction Worker | $45,710 | 34 | $50,699 | $47,120 | 13,280 |
| Nail Technician | $45,310 | 8 | $50,256 | $35,760 | 240 |
| Personal Trainer | $45,280 | 25 | $50,222 | $47,160 | 1,990 |
| Auto Mechanic | $44,890 | 48 | $49,790 | $50,620 | 11,140 |
| Mortician | $43,320 | 44 | $48,048 | $55,010 | 470 |
| Garbage Collector | $43,100 | 42 | $47,804 | $49,690 | 1,580 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $42,670 | 37 | $47,327 | $109,910 | — |
| Phlebotomist | $42,480 | 32 | $47,117 | $45,230 | 2,500 |
| Correctional Officer | $42,310 | 46 | $46,928 | $58,940 | 6,770 |
| Vet Tech | $39,590 | 42 | $43,911 | $47,380 | 1,670 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,270 | 44 | $43,556 | $45,690 | 13,440 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,200 | 47 | $43,479 | $45,750 | 8,870 |
| Esthetician | $38,580 | 41 | $42,791 | $45,330 | 830 |
| CNA | $38,370 | 37 | $42,558 | $42,260 | 23,410 |
| Firefighter | $37,150 | 48 | $41,205 | $59,280 | 5,150 |
| EMT | $36,800 | 43 | $40,817 | $44,470 | 2,770 |
| Cosmetologist | $29,840 | 42 | $33,097 | $35,790 | 2,350 |
| Substitute Teacher | $29,730 | 41 | $32,975 | $41,670 | 320 |
| Bartender | $28,780 | 32 | $31,921 | $34,340 | 6,870 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.