state record · wages by occupation
Wages by occupation in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the median annual wage across all occupations was $45,740 in May 2024, with 1,993,680 people employed, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
What stands out
In Kentucky, the median annual wage across all occupations was $45,740 in May 2024, with 1,993,680 people employed, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The highest median among detailed occupations is $239,100 for Emergency Medicine Physicians, the lowest $17,330 for Hoist and Winch Operators. The largest occupation by headcount is General and Operations Managers with 58,570 jobs at a median of $77,150. Wages are annual, as published by BLS for May of the reference year; '≥ $239,200' marks BLS's top code. Every value links to its fact record.
Highest-paid occupations
Top 30 by median annual wage among detailed occupations.
| Occupation | Employment | Median annual | 10th pct | 90th pct | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medicine Physicians 29-1214 | 310 | $239,100 | $215,520 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Pediatricians, General 29-1221 | 260 | $237,740 | $149,990 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians 29-1216 | 510 | $231,240 | $82,810 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Psychiatrists 29-1223 | 200 | $229,630 | $109,490 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Nurse Anesthetists 29-1151 | 1,050 | $212,430 | $181,360 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Podiatrists 29-1081 | 60 | $198,990 | $64,990 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Physicists 19-2012 | 30 | $168,660 | $95,760 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Chief Executives 11-1011 | 2,950 | $146,630 | $56,470 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates 23-1023 | 420 | $138,620 | $101,390 | $151,990 | evidence → |
| Dentists, General 29-1021 | 910 | $135,550 | $68,280 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | 1,420 | $134,880 | $103,310 | $193,660 | evidence → |
| Medical Dosimetrists 29-2036 | 50 | $134,070 | $62,710 | $147,400 | evidence → |
| Pharmacists 29-1051 | 5,310 | $132,750 | $73,650 | $163,620 | evidence → |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers 11-3021 | 2,870 | $132,700 | $78,080 | $215,450 | evidence → |
| Optometrists 29-1041 | 500 | $132,000 | $51,880 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | 400 | $131,780 | $63,820 | $202,740 | evidence → |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1112 | 120 | $128,380 | $41,170 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Air Traffic Controllers 53-2021 | 210 | $126,550 | $71,140 | $165,480 | evidence → |
| Financial Managers 11-3031 | 6,120 | $125,490 | $72,310 | $217,780 | evidence → |
| Psychologists, All Other 19-3039 | 220 | $124,550 | $69,440 | $151,530 | evidence → |
| Marketing Managers 11-2021 | 2,130 | $123,480 | $69,630 | $213,890 | evidence → |
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | 2,290 | $123,010 | $61,250 | $186,850 | evidence → |
| Actuaries 15-2011 | 100 | $120,580 | $84,710 | $214,190 | evidence → |
| Sales Managers 11-2022 | 6,950 | $120,500 | $59,860 | $227,420 | evidence → |
| Aerospace Engineers 17-2011 | 210 | $117,660 | $95,970 | $174,420 | evidence → |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists 19-3033 | 850 | $116,480 | $49,990 | $202,900 | evidence → |
| Purchasing Managers 11-3061 | 810 | $113,910 | $69,990 | $171,190 | evidence → |
| Nurse Practitioners 29-1171 | 4,710 | $113,870 | $89,760 | $149,350 | evidence → |
| Human Resources Managers 11-3121 | 1,840 | $113,740 | $70,600 | $180,790 | evidence → |
| Chemical Engineers 17-2041 | 230 | $112,390 | $81,260 | $153,210 | evidence → |
Largest occupations by employment
Top 30 by number of jobs.
Metropolitan areas in Kentucky
Each has its own wage record.
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