Top Paying Jobs in Kentucky
Kentucky has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 148,640 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Cardiologists ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologists ($347,960). The cost of living index is 90.23 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,110/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$141K
Avg. median salary
90.23
Cost of living index
$1,110
Median 2BR rent
4,569,805
Population
Highest paying careers in Kentucky
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiologists | Healthcare | $558K | $268.36/hr |
| 2 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Transportation | $351K | N/A |
| 3 | Anesthesiologists | Healthcare | $348K | $167.29/hr |
| 4 | Neurologists | Healthcare | $339K | $162.91/hr |
| 5 | Physicians, All Other | Healthcare | $327K | $157.4/hr |
| 6 | Physicians, Pathologists | Healthcare | $324K | $155.96/hr |
| 7 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | Healthcare | $317K | $152.46/hr |
| 8 | Radiologists | Healthcare | $280K | $134.61/hr |
| 9 | Family Medicine Physicians | Healthcare | $249K | $119.58/hr |
| 10 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | Healthcare | $242K | $116.12/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Kentucky
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-9.8% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,110/mo
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Metro areas in Kentucky
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Compare Kentucky to other cities
Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
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Calculate take-home pay in Kentucky
After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in Kentucky?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Kentucky?
Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data