Kentucky

State · BLS OEWS 2023

In Kentucky, BLS OEWS tracks wages for 710 detailed occupations covering about 1,859,170 jobs. Across occupations, local pay runs 11.6% below the national median on average.

Highest-Paying Occupations (2023)

"vs National" compares this area's median for each occupation to the U.S. national median — a positive number means the area pays a premium for that role.

Highest-paying occupations in Kentucky, BLS OEWS 2023.
Occupation Median Annual vs National Employment
Emergency Medicine Physicians $236,540 — 350
General Internal Medicine Physicians $236,450 +5.9% 540
Pediatricians, General $228,860 +15.2% 280
Psychiatrists $220,870 -2.6% 250
Nurse Anesthetists $212,600 -0% 460
Chief Executives $171,990 +98% 2,860
Dentists, All Other Specialists $164,510 -27.7% —
Dentists, General $144,360 -13.2% 1,090
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric $137,130 -37.6% —
Pharmacists $131,890 -3% 5,480
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates $130,560 -12.3% 500
Optometrists $130,210 -1.3% 450
Airfield Operations Specialists $130,160 +154.5% 270
Architectural and Engineering Managers $129,690 -21.6% 1,480
Computer and Information Systems Managers $128,350 -24.3% 2,540
Physicists $126,160 -19% —
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects $124,800 +24.5% —
Financial Managers $122,770 +9.6% 6,580
Air Traffic Controllers $121,970 -11.2% 190
Psychologists, All Other $118,190 +0.4% 200
Computer and Information Research Scientists $116,250 -19.9% 210
Marketing Managers $115,390 -35.7% 2,460
Managers, All Other $113,100 -15.3% 2,450
Chemical Engineers $112,210 +0.1% 240
Web and Digital Interface Designers $111,660 +13.3% 860

Largest Occupations by Employment (2023)

Largest occupations by employment in Kentucky, BLS OEWS 2023.
Occupation Employment Median Annual
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand 61,050 $39,210
Stockers and Order Fillers 52,180 $35,520
General and Operations Managers 50,500 $78,890
Registered Nurses 48,710 $77,830
Cashiers 44,890 $26,440
Retail Salespersons 44,870 $29,370
Customer Service Representatives 43,940 $36,330
Fast Food and Counter Workers 43,150 $23,510
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers 28,630 $50,740
Waiters and Waitresses 27,160 $21,360
Office Clerks, General 27,140 $34,780
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners 26,440 $29,960
Cooks, Fast Food 23,090 $23,270
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks 22,790 $43,410
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive 21,920 $38,720
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General 20,790 $45,200
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers 20,210 $60,060
Nursing Assistants 19,910 $36,510
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers 18,410 $35,050
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 18,370 $59,150
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants 17,070 $36,600
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers 16,610 $38,430
Light Truck Drivers 16,320 $42,350
Cooks, Restaurant 15,170 $29,400
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers 14,280 $65,520
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