Computer Programmers Salary
Computer Programmers in Kentucky make a median of $94,850 a year, or about $45.6 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $140K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.23), which stretches that salary to about $105,120 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,110/month, or 18.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Kentucky. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $95K get you in Kentucky?
About computer programmers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Kentucky
Computer programmers pay in Kentucky tracks closely to the national median, $95K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 6% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,110/month, 18.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.23 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $95K. Top earners bring in $140K or more, a $78K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers salary by metro in Kentucky
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $105K | +11% | N/A |
| Lexington-Fayette | $91K | -4% | 130 |
Compare to other states
Track computer programmers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Frequently asked questions
Can a computer programmer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Kentucky?
Yes — at the median salary of $95K, rent takes 18.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,110/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer programmers in Kentucky?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer programmers typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,719/month. At HUD’s $1,110/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer programmer a high-paying job in Kentucky?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $95K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Kentucky compare to the national average for computer programmers?
Kentucky pays $95K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.23), the purchasing-power equivalent is $105K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer programmers make in Kentucky?
The median is $94,850 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,990, and experienced computer programmers can clear $140,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $95K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,943/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 18.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer programmers salary go in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a Regional Price Parity of 90.23 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer programmers salary is worth about $105,120 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer programmers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.