Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in Kentucky (2026)
The highest-paying job in Kentucky is Family Medicine Physician with a state-aggregated median salary of $261,879 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 2 BLS-tracked metros. Across all 64 occupations the average median is $97,093, with 23 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Kentucky's average cost-of-living index is 91, so the average median equates to $106,696 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage across Kentucky — rolling up wage data across all metropolitan areas in the state. State-level rollups smooth over the substantial intra-state wage variation typical of larger states. For state-level wage comparisons, BLS OEWS state files aggregate across MSAs and non-MSA areas. The aggregation hides legitimate within-state differences: a job in Kentucky's primary metro often pays substantially more (and costs substantially more to live near) than the same job in smaller cities.
Use the per-metro pages for the geographic-specific view. The state-level ranking is most useful for comparing Kentucky to other states, not for comparing within-state options.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Kentucky
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across Kentucky's 2 BLS-tracked metros.
State median $261,879 · 490 jobs · top metro: Louisville ($280,050)
Family Medicine Physicians in Kentucky earn $261,879 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Louisville) pays $280,050 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $171,425 · 170 jobs · top metro: Louisville ($374,080)
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Kentucky earn $171,425 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Louisville) pays $374,080 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $165,300 · 250 jobs · top metro: Lexington ($165,300)
Pediatricians in Kentucky earn $165,300 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Lexington) pays $165,300 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $148,951 · 1,750 jobs · top metro: Louisville ($150,710)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Kentucky earn $148,951 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Louisville) pays $150,710 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $141,209 · 2,890 jobs · top metro: Louisville ($143,920)
Pharmacists in Kentucky earn $141,209 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Louisville) pays $143,920 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $136,655 · 3,610 jobs · top metro: Louisville ($136,970)
Financial Managers in Kentucky earn $136,655 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Louisville) pays $136,970 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $136,474 · 390 jobs · top metro: Louisville ($151,420)
Dentists in Kentucky earn $136,474 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Louisville) pays $151,420 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $136,215 · 270 jobs · top metro: Lexington ($139,060)
Optometrists in Kentucky earn $136,215 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Lexington) pays $139,060 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $134,500 · 3,660 jobs · top metro: Louisville ($137,880)
Sales Managers in Kentucky earn $134,500 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Louisville) pays $137,880 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $133,892 · 1,250 jobs · top metro: Louisville ($136,350)
Marketing Managers in Kentucky earn $133,892 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Louisville) pays $136,350 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 64 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $261,879 | Louisville | $280,050 | 490 |
| 2 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $171,425 | Louisville | $374,080 | 170 |
| 3 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $165,300 | Lexington | $165,300 | 250 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $148,951 | Louisville | $150,710 | 1,750 |
| 5 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $141,209 | Louisville | $143,920 | 2,890 |
| 6 | Financial Manager | Finance | $136,655 | Louisville | $136,970 | 3,610 |
| 7 | Dentist | Healthcare | $136,474 | Louisville | $151,420 | 390 |
| 8 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $136,215 | Lexington | $139,060 | 270 |
| 9 | Sales Manager | Management | $134,500 | Louisville | $137,880 | 3,660 |
| 10 | Marketing Manager | Management | $133,892 | Louisville | $136,350 | 1,250 |
| 11 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $122,943 | Lexington | $123,070 | 2,120 |
| 12 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $122,624 | Louisville | $130,830 | 680 |
| 13 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $122,492 | Lexington | $122,850 | 1,000 |
| 14 | Lawyer | Legal | $119,915 | Louisville | $124,530 | 3,040 |
| 15 | Software Developer | Technology | $114,778 | Lexington | $123,510 | 4,200 |
| 16 | Statistician | Technology | $112,540 | Louisville | $112,540 | 80 |
| 17 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $111,427 | Louisville | $112,070 | 4,270 |
| 18 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $108,502 | Lexington | $109,050 | 690 |
| 19 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $105,419 | Louisville | $106,760 | 920 |
| 20 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $102,821 | Lexington | $103,090 | 1,540 |
| 21 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $101,821 | Lexington | $103,840 | 860 |
| 22 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $101,232 | Louisville | $106,300 | 280 |
| 23 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $101,126 | Lexington | $103,820 | 2,220 |
| 24 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $99,685 | Louisville | $102,260 | 1,730 |
| 25 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $98,729 | Louisville | $100,040 | 1,030 |
| 26 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $98,054 | Louisville | $103,420 | 1,070 |
| 27 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $98,007 | Lexington | $98,160 | 860 |
| 28 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $97,437 | Lexington | $101,000 | 3,160 |
| 29 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $97,353 | Louisville | $97,970 | 3,120 |
| 30 | Architect | Engineering | $96,837 | Louisville | $100,760 | 490 |
| 31 | Data Scientist | Technology | $95,924 | Louisville | $99,980 | 880 |
| 32 | Network Architect | Technology | $94,984 | Louisville | $96,110 | 1,420 |
| 33 | Database Architect | Technology | $93,785 | Louisville | $96,850 | 300 |
| 34 | Management Analyst | Management | $93,290 | Lexington | $99,190 | 2,470 |
| 35 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $90,850 | Louisville | $105,050 | 130 |
| 36 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $88,358 | Lexington | $89,730 | 290 |
| 37 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $86,313 | Louisville | $89,140 | 24,930 |
| 38 | Web Designer | Technology | $85,416 | Lexington | $91,260 | 160 |
| 39 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $85,257 | Lexington | $89,430 | 300 |
| 40 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $83,064 | Louisville | $84,850 | 26,250 |
| 41 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $80,960 | Louisville | $80,960 | 50 |
| 42 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $80,949 | Louisville | $81,390 | 1,190 |
| 43 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $78,920 | Louisville | $79,040 | 0 |
| 44 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $78,679 | Lexington | $81,410 | 1,630 |
| 45 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $78,520 | Louisville | $81,530 | 420 |
| 46 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $77,611 | Lexington | $79,610 | 800 |
| 47 | Accountant | Finance | $76,736 | Lexington | $77,780 | 6,420 |
| 48 | Web Developer | Technology | $75,757 | Louisville | $76,280 | 420 |
| 49 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $73,105 | Lexington | $74,260 | 870 |
| 50 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $72,653 | Louisville | $73,160 | 860 |
| 51 | Plumber | Trades | $71,790 | Louisville | $74,680 | 3,590 |
| 52 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $71,467 | Louisville | $74,040 | 5,500 |
| 53 | Loan Officer | Finance | $64,269 | Louisville | $64,460 | 1,540 |
| 54 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $63,945 | Lexington | $65,280 | 3,430 |
| 55 | Paralegal | Legal | $61,992 | Lexington | $63,640 | 2,100 |
| 56 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $61,927 | Lexington | $62,380 | 1,340 |
| 57 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $61,564 | Louisville | $61,610 | 7,930 |
| 58 | Electrician | Trades | $61,125 | Louisville | $62,440 | 5,840 |
| 59 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $60,795 | Louisville | $61,460 | 2,580 |
| 60 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $57,828 | Lexington | $58,880 | 1,200 |
| 61 | Carpenter | Trades | $55,234 | Louisville | $56,520 | 4,190 |
| 62 | Writer/Author | Creative | $52,145 | Louisville | $52,520 | 180 |
| 63 | Welder | Trades | $51,464 | Lexington | $53,680 | 2,270 |
| 64 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $47,038 | Louisville | $47,440 | 5,170 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Kentucky
Kentucky'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.
$Kentucky tracks $2 BLS-published metros covering approximately $164,740 workers across the $64 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Family Medicine Physician top spot reflects Louisville pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in Kentucky typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within Kentucky, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Kentucky is Family Medicine Physician with a state median salary of $261,879. The top-paying metro for this role is Louisville at $280,050 median. The role employs roughly 490 workers across Kentucky.
23 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in Kentucky have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 64 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Kentucky is $97,093. The figure is employment-weighted across 2 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $106,696.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For Kentucky, this page aggregates Louisville, Lexington. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
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. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in Kentucky.
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in Kentucky, using OEWS 2025 data.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.