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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Psychiatrists | Healthcare | $238K | $114.31/hr |
| 12 | Nurse Anesthetists | Healthcare | $223K | $106.98/hr |
| 13 | Podiatrists | Healthcare | $201K | $96.76/hr |
| 14 | Dermatologists | Healthcare | $196K | $94.15/hr |
| 15 | Physicists | Science | $181K | $86.98/hr |
| 16 | Chief Executives | Management | $180K | $86.31/hr |
| 17 | Pediatricians, General | Healthcare | $176K | $84.47/hr |
| 18 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | Healthcare | $169K | $81.44/hr |
| 19 | Surgeons, All Other | Healthcare | $162K | $77.96/hr |
| 20 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | Legal | $151K | $72.43/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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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