Average Salary in Kentucky
Average wage, unemployment, and how Kentucky ranks — from official BLS data.
The average worker in Kentucky earns about $64,220 a year across all industries — about $2,719 below the national average. Roughly 2,008,711 jobs are covered in the state.
How it works
The average annual wage for Kentucky is the BLS QCEW average weekly wage across all covered industries, annualized (2025 Q4). The unemployment rate is the seasonally adjusted state figure from BLS LAUS. These are averages — a typical (median) worker usually earns less than the average, which is pulled up by high earners.
Good to know
- Average wage is employer-reported and covers ~95% of US jobs; it runs higher than the median.
- Weigh Kentucky's wage against its cost of living and rent before comparing states.
- Figures refresh as BLS releases new quarters.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in Kentucky?
The average annual wage in Kentucky is about $64,220, based on the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (2025 Q4) — the average across all covered industries.
What is the unemployment rate in Kentucky?
Kentucky's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 4.3% (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics).
How does Kentucky rank for pay?
Kentucky ranks #46 of 51 states (and DC) by average wage.