Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary
The median pay for a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Kentucky is $77,510/year ($37.27/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $116K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.23), which stretches that salary to about $85,903 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,110/month, or 21.8% 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 $78K get you in Kentucky?
About geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
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What this looks like in Kentucky
Pay for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Kentucky runs about 24% below the U.S. median of $102K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,110/month, 22.3% 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. Lower pay, lower costs, Kentucky can be a reasonable trade-off for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographerss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $116K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary by metro in Kentucky
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette | $68K | -13% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Kentucky?
Yes — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 22.3% 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 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in Kentucky?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers typically earn — is $44K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,648/month. At HUD’s $1,110/month FMR, rent would take 42% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographer a high-paying job in Kentucky?
Local pay runs 24% below the national median — $78K here vs. $102K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Kentucky compare to the national average for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers?
Kentucky pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s -24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.23), the purchasing-power equivalent is $86K — below the national median.
How much do geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers make in Kentucky?
The median is $77,510 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,130, and experienced geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers can clear $115,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,985/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 22.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers 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 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers salary is worth about $85,903 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers 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.