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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Managers, All Other | Management | $123K | $59.1/hr |
| 42 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare | $123K | $59.07/hr |
| 43 | Human Resources Managers | Management | $121K | $58.4/hr |
| 44 | Physician Assistants | Healthcare | $121K | $58.06/hr |
| 45 | Ship Engineers | Transportation | $121K | $57.96/hr |
| 46 | Actuaries | Technology | $120K | $57.89/hr |
| 47 | Chemical Engineers | Engineering | $117K | $56.33/hr |
| 48 | Computer Hardware Engineers | Engineering | $116K | $55.86/hr |
| 49 | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Management | $114K | $54.96/hr |
| 50 | Compensation and Benefits Managers | Management | $114K | $54.95/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