Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
63 Highest Paying Jobs in Louisville, KY (2026)
The highest-paying job in Louisville, KY, Kentucky is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $374,080 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 63 tracked occupations the average median is $100,633, with 26 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.2 (national average = 100), so a $100,633 nominal salary equals $111,567 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 63 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Louisville, KY, KY, from BLS OEWS data. Louisville, KY's cost-of-living index runs 90.2 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Louisville, KY, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Louisville, KY
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Louisville, KY's cost-of-living index of 90.2 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $374,080 · 10th–90th $77,600–$571,430 · 40 jobs in metro
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Louisville, KY earn $374,080 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $571,430. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $414,723 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $280,050 · 10th–90th $138,750–$578,460 · 280 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Louisville, KY earn $280,050 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $578,460. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $310,477 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $151,420 · 10th–90th $75,240–$304,930 · 230 jobs in metro
Dentists in Louisville, KY earn $151,420 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $304,930. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $167,871 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $150,710 · 10th–90th $93,750–$220,850 · 1,280 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Louisville, KY earn $150,710 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $220,850. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $167,084 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $143,920 · 10th–90th $97,700–$173,620 · 1,830 jobs in metro
Pharmacists in Louisville, KY earn $143,920 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $173,620. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $159,557 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $137,880 · 10th–90th $71,090–$260,050 · 2,710 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Louisville, KY earn $137,880 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $260,050. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $152,860 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $136,970 · 10th–90th $88,620–$230,840 · 2,670 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Louisville, KY earn $136,970 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $230,840. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $151,851 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $136,350 · 10th–90th $79,830–$211,130 · 920 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Louisville, KY earn $136,350 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $211,130. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $151,164 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $135,720 · 10th–90th $96,370–$197,330 · 230 jobs in metro
Optometrists in Louisville, KY earn $135,720 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $197,330. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $150,466 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Median $130,830 · 10th–90th $103,490–$165,500 · 380 jobs in metro
Physician Assistants in Louisville, KY earn $130,830 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $165,500. The lower cost of living here means the median translates to $145,044 of buying power versus an average-cost metro — better than the nominal number suggests.
Full Ranking (63 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $374,080 | $77,600–$571,430 | $414,723 | 40 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $280,050 | $138,750–$578,460 | $310,477 | 280 |
| 3 | Dentist | Healthcare | $151,420 | $75,240–$304,930 | $167,871 | 230 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $150,710 | $93,750–$220,850 | $167,084 | 1,280 |
| 5 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $143,920 | $97,700–$173,620 | $159,557 | 1,830 |
| 6 | Sales Manager | Management | $137,880 | $71,090–$260,050 | $152,860 | 2,710 |
| 7 | Financial Manager | Finance | $136,970 | $88,620–$230,840 | $151,851 | 2,670 |
| 8 | Marketing Manager | Management | $136,350 | $79,830–$211,130 | $151,164 | 920 |
| 9 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $135,720 | $96,370–$197,330 | $150,466 | 230 |
| 10 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $130,830 | $103,490–$165,500 | $145,044 | 380 |
| 11 | Lawyer | Legal | $124,530 | $65,310–$211,880 | $138,060 | 2,000 |
| 12 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $122,900 | $104,090–$159,860 | $136,253 | 1,580 |
| 13 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $122,360 | $74,380–$195,970 | $135,654 | 730 |
| 14 | Statistician | Technology | $112,540 | $88,100–$141,130 | $124,767 | 80 |
| 15 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $112,070 | $58,040–$249,990 | $124,246 | 3,010 |
| 16 | Software Developer | Technology | $110,270 | $77,750–$163,350 | $122,251 | 2,770 |
| 17 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $108,000 | $44,200–$167,890 | $119,734 | 360 |
| 18 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $106,760 | $60,750–$160,100 | $118,359 | 650 |
| 19 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $106,300 | $41,740–$155,580 | $117,849 | 170 |
| 20 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $105,050 | $66,260–$140,460 | $116,463 | 0 |
| 21 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $103,420 | $66,650–$142,030 | $114,656 | 710 |
| 22 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $102,650 | $68,940–$147,850 | $113,803 | 940 |
| 23 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $102,260 | $77,800–$122,130 | $113,370 | 1,140 |
| 24 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $101,040 | $62,850–$169,300 | $112,018 | 620 |
| 25 | Architect | Engineering | $100,760 | $64,510–$134,760 | $111,707 | 220 |
| 26 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $100,040 | $75,640–$126,420 | $110,909 | 710 |
| 27 | Data Scientist | Technology | $99,980 | $64,100–$164,110 | $110,843 | 650 |
| 28 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $99,290 | $65,240–$149,940 | $110,078 | 1,320 |
| 29 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $97,970 | $59,350–$180,450 | $108,614 | 2,340 |
| 30 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $97,960 | $63,270–$137,440 | $108,603 | 660 |
| 31 | Database Architect | Technology | $96,850 | $52,070–$141,030 | $107,373 | 190 |
| 32 | Network Architect | Technology | $96,110 | $62,080–$184,490 | $106,552 | 990 |
| 33 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $95,370 | $61,470–$140,720 | $105,732 | 2,000 |
| 34 | Management Analyst | Management | $91,560 | $59,030–$136,990 | $101,508 | 1,910 |
| 35 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $89,140 | $44,440–$206,940 | $98,825 | 16,830 |
| 36 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $87,390 | $60,930–$152,050 | $96,885 | 170 |
| 37 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $84,850 | $65,300–$118,200 | $94,069 | 18,180 |
| 38 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $81,530 | $63,890–$119,220 | $90,388 | 280 |
| 39 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $81,390 | $63,870–$99,250 | $90,233 | 780 |
| 40 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $80,960 | $51,670–$114,080 | $89,756 | 50 |
| 41 | Web Designer | Technology | $80,870 | $54,190–$144,870 | $89,656 | 90 |
| 42 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $79,040 | $47,190–$126,110 | $87,627 | 0 |
| 43 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $78,050 | $47,830–$127,300 | $86,530 | 110 |
| 44 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $77,700 | $49,900–$135,820 | $86,142 | 1,200 |
| 45 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $76,900 | $39,510–$147,500 | $85,255 | 590 |
| 46 | Accountant | Finance | $76,320 | $53,070–$121,630 | $84,612 | 4,590 |
| 47 | Web Developer | Technology | $76,280 | $53,420–$135,760 | $84,568 | 290 |
| 48 | Plumber | Trades | $74,680 | $48,250–$94,920 | $82,794 | 2,780 |
| 49 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $74,040 | $49,180–$93,990 | $82,084 | 3,960 |
| 50 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $73,160 | $49,260–$126,400 | $81,109 | 660 |
| 51 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $72,760 | $43,880–$241,370 | $80,665 | 670 |
| 52 | Loan Officer | Finance | $64,460 | $42,700–$125,760 | $71,463 | 1,120 |
| 53 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $63,280 | $38,230–$103,650 | $70,155 | 2,290 |
| 54 | Electrician | Trades | $62,440 | $37,700–$85,260 | $69,224 | 4,340 |
| 55 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $61,640 | $37,280–$108,870 | $68,337 | 820 |
| 56 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $61,610 | $47,230–$92,760 | $68,304 | 5,510 |
| 57 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $61,460 | $38,990–$94,090 | $68,137 | 1,600 |
| 58 | Paralegal | Legal | $61,270 | $38,890–$81,000 | $67,927 | 1,460 |
| 59 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $57,340 | $32,620–$88,820 | $63,570 | 820 |
| 60 | Carpenter | Trades | $56,520 | $38,980–$75,360 | $62,661 | 2,990 |
| 61 | Writer/Author | Creative | $52,520 | $39,930–$74,250 | $58,226 | 130 |
| 62 | Welder | Trades | $50,870 | $41,070–$70,360 | $56,397 | 1,790 |
| 63 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $47,440 | $34,180–$77,170 | $52,594 | 3,640 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Louisville, KY
Louisville, KY's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Louisville, KY's cost-of-living index of 90.2 runs 10% below the U.S. national average. Lower nominal pay here often translates to comparable or better purchasing power than higher headline numbers in coastal hubs — see the COL-Adjusted column for the apples-to-apples figure.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Obstetrician/Gynecologist with five-plus years of experience in Louisville, KY should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($472,755) or 90th percentile ($571,430), not the $374,080 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $374K Obstetrician/Gynecologist salary in Louisville, KY (COL 90.2) translates to $415K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Louisville, KY page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Louisville, KY is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $374,080 and a 90th-percentile reading of $571,430. The role employs roughly 40 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
26 of the 63 BLS-tracked occupations in Louisville, KY have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 63 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Louisville, KY is $100,633. The cost-of-living index is 90.2, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $111,567 in equivalent purchasing power.
Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.2, below the national average. Nominal pay translates better than face value, making it a strong choice for many careers — particularly the Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Family Medicine Physician, Dentist occupations at the top of the ranking.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.