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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | Healthcare | $102K | $49.01/hr |
| 72 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | Engineering | $102K | $48.97/hr |
| 73 | Lawyers | Legal | $102K | $48.82/hr |
| 74 | Mechanical Engineers | Engineering | $101K | $48.58/hr |
| 75 | Civil Engineers | Engineering | $101K | $48.53/hr |
| 76 | Facilities Managers | Management | $101K | $48.42/hr |
| 77 | Physical Therapists | Healthcare | $101K | $48.42/hr |
| 78 | Materials Engineers | Engineering | $101K | $48.38/hr |
| 79 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | Management | $100K | $48.24/hr |
| 80 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | Management | $100K | N/A |
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